Chinese Han Dynasty Type Painted Terracotta Horse Head, Mingqi Tomb Figure

A highly atmospheric Chinese painted terracotta horse head, most probably from a funerary mingqi figure, stylistically corresponding to the Han Dynasty type, 206 BC–220 AD. The piece has a powerful sculptural presence, with an elongated head, arched neck, projecting muzzle, modelled nostrils, raised eyes and a strong wedge-shaped profile typical of early Chinese tomb pottery horses.

The object is made from low-fired earthenware, with a porous terracotta body visible inside the hollow structure. The construction appears to be mould-formed and then hand-finished, with modelling around the eyes, mouth, nostrils and ridge of the face. The surface retains areas of red, ochre and dark mineral pigment, giving the head a striking excavated character. The rough interior, uneven wall thickness, open hollow base and granular clay structure are all consistent with ancient low-fired funerary pottery rather than later glazed ceramic production.

In Han China, such pottery horses were placed in tombs as mingqi, or spirit objects, intended to accompany and serve the deceased in the afterlife. Horses were symbols of rank, mobility, military strength and contact with the western regions, and they occupied a particularly important place in Han material culture. Even as a fragment, this head retains great expressive force: the long face, alert eyes and open mouth give it a vivid and almost animated quality.

On the basis of the ceramic body, low-fired earthenware structure, hollow moulded construction, surviving mineral pigments, form, surface wear and comparison with known Han painted terracotta horse heads, it is reasonable to attribute the piece as a Chinese painted terracotta horse head from a mingqi tomb figure, Han Dynasty type, 206 BC–220 AD; final scientific confirmation of age can only be provided by a TL test.

Measurements

Height: 19 cm (7.5″)

Width: 20 cm (7.9″)

Depth: 7 cm (2.8″)

Weight: 1127 g

Condition

A rare, characterful and highly decorative antiquity with strong historical presence. Condition is consistent with an archaeological fragment. The ears are lost or worn down, the lower edge is irregular, and the painted surface is naturally worn, with surviving traces of red, ochre and black pigment. No joins or repairs have been detected under UV examination.

Shipping & Packaging

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