An exceptionally rare and imposing Chinese grey pottery model of an armoured war horse, dating to the Sixteen Kingdoms period (AD 304–439), an era of profound political and cultural transformation preceding the Northern Dynasties.
The horse is powerfully modelled standing foursquare, with a broad body, strongly arched neck and its head held slightly forward. Particularly striking is the extensive protective armour, or horse barding, covering much of the body and upper legs. A saddle is positioned upon its back, while the head is elaborately fitted with modelled equestrian accoutrements. The carefully applied ornaments around the forehead, cheeks and muzzle provide an unusually detailed representation of contemporary horse equipment.
The substantial proportions of the animal give the sculpture a remarkable sense of strength and monumentality. Unlike the more animated and elegant pottery horses associated with the later Sui and Tang dynasties, this example possesses the powerful, almost architectural quality characteristic of early medieval Chinese sculpture.
Armoured cavalry became increasingly important in northern China during the Sixteen Kingdoms and Northern Dynasties periods. The development of heavily protected horses accompanied changes in cavalry warfare, with both horse armour and increasingly sophisticated equestrian equipment becoming important features of elite military forces. Pottery representations such as this provide a fascinating visual record of this transformation in Chinese military history.
The horse is made from a hard, highly fired grey pottery, producing an almost metallic resonance when lightly tapped. Its surface retains the beautifully aged character associated with ancient Chinese pottery, while the sculptural details of the armour, saddle and elaborate headgear remain particularly well defined.
At 35 cm high and 41 cm long, this is an unusually large and impressive example of a Sixteen Kingdoms pottery horse.
The piece has been scientifically tested by Oxford Authentication using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis. The accompanying Oxford Authentication thermoluminescence (TL) report confirms that the pottery is consistent with the stated period of manufacture.
Comparable examples of Sixteen Kingdoms painted pottery horses can be found in important Chinese museum collections and exhibitions. A closely related example, excavated at Hongqingyuan (洪慶原), Xi’an, is preserved in the permanent collection of the Xi’an Museum, Shaanxi Province, while another comparable horse was displayed in a temporary exhibition in Beijing in 2004. These examples share notable features with the present figure, particularly the high-bridged saddle, suspended stirrups, elaborate horse trappings and surviving painted decoration, providing important comparisons for understanding the development of equestrian equipment and cavalry culture in northern China during the Sixteen Kingdoms period (AD 304–439).
A rare and highly sculptural example of an ancient Chinese armoured pottery horse, combining exceptional scale, distinctive military iconography and scientific dating.
Period: Sixteen Kingdoms (AD 304–439)
Culture: China
Material: Grey pottery
Type: Armoured war horse / caparisoned horse
Height: 35 cm
Length: 41 cm
An exceptionally rare and imposing Chinese grey pottery model of an armoured war horse, dating to the Sixteen Kingdoms period (AD 304–439), an era of profound political and cultural transformation preceding the Northern Dynasties.
The horse is powerfully modelled standing foursquare, with a broad body, strongly arched neck and its head held slightly forward. Particularly striking is the extensive protective armour, or horse barding, covering much of the body and upper legs. A saddle is positioned upon its back, while the head is elaborately fitted with modelled equestrian accoutrements. The carefully applied ornaments around the forehead, cheeks and muzzle provide an unusually detailed representation of contemporary horse equipment.
The substantial proportions of the animal give the sculpture a remarkable sense of strength and monumentality. Unlike the more animated and elegant pottery horses associated with the later Sui and Tang dynasties, this example possesses the powerful, almost architectural quality characteristic of early medieval Chinese sculpture.
Armoured cavalry became increasingly important in northern China during the Sixteen Kingdoms and Northern Dynasties periods. The development of heavily protected horses accompanied changes in cavalry warfare, with both horse armour and increasingly sophisticated equestrian equipment becoming important features of elite military forces. Pottery representations such as this provide a fascinating visual record of this transformation in Chinese military history.
The horse is made from a hard, highly fired grey pottery, producing an almost metallic resonance when lightly tapped. Its surface retains the beautifully aged character associated with ancient Chinese pottery, while the sculptural details of the armour, saddle and elaborate headgear remain particularly well defined.
At 35 cm high and 41 cm long, this is an unusually large and impressive example of a Sixteen Kingdoms pottery horse.
The piece has been scientifically tested by Oxford Authentication using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis. The accompanying Oxford Authentication thermoluminescence (TL) report confirms that the pottery is consistent with the stated period of manufacture.
Comparable examples of Sixteen Kingdoms painted pottery horses can be found in important Chinese museum collections and exhibitions. A closely related example, excavated at Hongqingyuan (洪慶原), Xi’an, is preserved in the permanent collection of the Xi’an Museum, Shaanxi Province, while another comparable horse was displayed in a temporary exhibition in Beijing in 2004. These examples share notable features with the present figure, particularly the high-bridged saddle, suspended stirrups, elaborate horse trappings and surviving painted decoration, providing important comparisons for understanding the development of equestrian equipment and cavalry culture in northern China during the Sixteen Kingdoms period (AD 304–439).
A rare and highly sculptural example of an ancient Chinese armoured pottery horse, combining exceptional scale, distinctive military iconography and scientific dating.
Period: Sixteen Kingdoms (AD 304–439)
Culture: China
Material: Grey pottery
Type: Armoured war horse / caparisoned horse
Height: 35 cm
Length: 41 cm
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