Vintage Chinese Tang Dynasty Style factory Horse

20th Century Replica of an actual Antique Similar Tang Dynasty Horse Sculpture (Picture 3*). Tang Dynasty - 618 to 907 CE, East Asia, China -- Traditional hand crafted antique brown finish tang style horse sculpture, with textured saddle and detail on the rectangular base.

NOT AN AUSTIN OR ALVA SCULPTURE

*This Tang horse sculpture, shown above, is from an online antique estate auction, which posted an estimated value of between $2,000 and $4,000, and a required opening bid of $1000:
(https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-glazed-tang-dynasty-horse-china-BF04A728D7)

PLEASE READ ALL OF THE INFORMATION IN THE LISTING AND VIEW ALL THE PICTURES, AS THEY ARE PART OF THE CONDITION AND DESCRIPTION. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, OR WANT TO MAKE AN OFFER, CONTACT ME. ALL OF MY ITEMS ARE CAREFULLY WRAPPED AND PACKED, THEN SHIPPED FULLY INSURED, AND FULLY GUARANTEED TO BE AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED. (See Disclaimer at end of listing)**

Dimensions: 15'' H x 12'' W x 5'' D
Condition: New - always displayed in a glass cabinet.

Country of Origin: India

20th Century Replica of a Tang Dynasty Horse (ca. 618 to 907 CE, East Asia, China) finely modeled and standing proudly upon a rectangular plinth. The horse presents an expressive visage with wide-open eyes, a pronounced snout with flared nostrils and a closed mouth, raised alert ears, a neatly manicured mane, a long tail, and a finely delineated saddle with layers of blankets in relief. During the Tang dynasty, the ancients placed special mingqi figures like this noble steed in tombs of the elite to ensure a safe journey to the afterlife.

When elite individuals passed away, large "walking" terracotta Ferghama horses displaying an immense degree of attention to detail, like this example, were created to carry the deceased into the hereafter. The horse, second only in importance to the dragon, was believed to possess magical powers. The number of horses owned by an individual ensured his high status in the afterlife.

Tomb attendants are part of a class of artifacts called mingqi - sometimes known as "spirit utensils" or "vessels for ghosts". They became popular in the Han Dynasty and would persist for several centuries. Alongside figures like this factory one were musicians, athletes, animals, structures … Even though they were mass produced, mingqi of the Han Dynasty often show a high level of detail and naturalism. These were designed to assist the po, the part of the soul of the deceased that remained underground with the body while the hun, the other part of the soul, ascended. Caring for the po seems to have taken on a new level of meaning in the Han period, with more elaborate rituals and tomb construction arising.

**DISCLAIMER: ANY INFORMATION REFERRING TO ORIGINALITY, AN ARTIST, AN ANTIQUE DATE,
PERIOD, CENTURY, OR ORIGIN WAS PRESENTED TO ME AS PART OF THE DESCRIPTION OF THIS ITEM AT THE ANTIQUE ESTATE AUCTION WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. AFTER THOROUGH ADDITIONAL RESEARCHING, I FOUND NO CONTRADICTIONS TO THIS CONFIRMATION.

*As this is an estate sale find, I cannot vouch for the history of an acquired item. Please keep in mind that I am NOT an expert, nor am I familiar with all the proper terms to be used in describing such items. However, I try to describe each item as accurately as possible, as well as provide photos for your review. Unless otherwise stated, items are FULLY GUARANTEED to be sold "As Pictured, As Described, and As Found." Please refer to ALL Photos provided -- they are the description that will help you to determine the condition and worth of the item. I encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have.