Page 59 - Bonhams Chinese Art NYC Nov 9 2017
P. 59
Carefully fashioned with close attention to detail such
as detailed harnesses embellished with conch shells
and bells, and floating blankets that resembled flowing
wings, the horse is a fine example of the limited
sculptural production of the Wei dynasty that has
survived to this date. It is possible that the horse may
have been imported from the Central Asian region of
Ferghana, whose horses were highly favoured by the
Chinese Imperial Court and upper classes for their
spirit and vitality.
Compare a similar horse, Wei dynasty, illustrated in
The Tsui Museum of Art: Chinese Ceramics, Neolithic
to Liao, vol.1, Hong Kong, 1993, no.71; and another,
which was sold at Christie’s New York, 22 March
1999, lot 221.
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