Curriculum Materials: Amazing Animals in
Art
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Chinese (T'ang dynasty), About 725z Essays: Questions: |
T'ang Horse
This blue-GLAZED
ceramic horse belongs to a group of ten figurines excavated
in 1948 from an imperial tomb near Lo-yang. Comprising five
pairs of figures-court officials, warrior guardians, earth
spirits, horses, and camels-the set is distinguished by its
fine MODELING,
large-scale figures, abundant use of rare cobalt blue glaze,
excellent surface condition, and the fact that it has
survived intact. It is one of the few complete tomb sets in
existence and one of only two in Western collections.
The horse was perhaps the most popular of all subjects to
the T'ang potter. It is portrayed here with a lively, robust
quality typical of T'ang ceramic art. One of only three such
blue-glazed horses known to exist and the largest and best
of those three, the horse is the highlight of the
Minneapolis tomb set. It stands four-square on an unglazed
rectangular base, with its neck arched, its head down and
turned slightly to one side. The dynamic curve of the mane
creates a striking profile and accentuates the tense energy
of the powerful neck. Although standing at ease, the horse
appears to be full of spirit, poised to move at any
moment.
Elegant and noble in appearance, this steed is glazed in a
brilliant, deep cobalt with a contrasting white-and-brown
streaked mane. The lavish use of cobalt blue, instead of the
ordinary straw-colored glaze, indicates that the retinue was
commissioned by a wealthy family who could afford this rare
and costly material imported from Persia. The saddle has
been left unglazed, and the paint that once decorated it is
now gone. (Real saddles in the T'ang period were probably
wooden and covered with leather.) The richly ornamented
harness trappings are derived from Sassanian Persian
metalwork design, and reflect the T'ang love of the
exotic.
Eagerly sought for centuries, fine horses came to China from
professional horsedealers of Asia. The animals were of
tremendous importance to T'ang China rulers, who used them
for military purposes and diplomatic tribute. Vast horse
herds were maintained by the Chinese government and
horsemanship was regarded as an aristocratic privilege.
Horses were important in providing an efficient mode of
travel on the Silk Road and were vital to the military
forces defending the borders of T'ang China. It is not
surprising that the Chinese chose the horse-their favorite
riding animal-to accompany them in the afterlife. Besides
providing the deceased with a means to ride into battle,
play polo, or hunt, the horse was a symbol of power,
prestige, and wealth.
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