Page 288 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1972.43.63 (C-6i8)

Seated Horse

China, early twentieth century
l
Painted earthenware, 19.0 x 34.6 x 12.7 (j/2 x 13% x 5)
Harry G. Steele Collection, Gift of Grace C. Steele
TECHNICAL NOTES
There are several repaired breaks.
PROVENANCE
Harry G. Steele [1881-1941], Pasadena; his widow, Grace C. Steele.

HIS OBJECT is A FORGERY OF A MiNGQi, or ceramic bur-
Tial sculpture of the Tang dynasty (618-906). With the
discovery of large numbers of authentic Tang tomb
sculptures in China in the late nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries, forgeries began to flood the art mar-
ket. The ungainly seated posture—which is not found
among authentic examples of the Tang period—the
whitish clay body, and the rather crude surface painting
in red, white, and black pigments all help to determine
that this horse is a forgery.
SL
front view

rear view

2/2 D E C O R A T I V E A R T S