Description
A TERRACOTTA FIGURE OF A HORSE AND RIDER, NORTHERN WEI
China, 386-534. The figure with well-preserved original cold painting showing a characteristic depiction of a warrior wearing armor all around on a caparisoned horse on a flat rectangular base. This piece is similar to others found in excavations around Cixian in Hebei Province.
Condition: Excellent condition considering the age of this piece with wear, chipping and losses.
Provenance: Austrian private collection. Acquired from Galerie Zacke before 2005. A copy of the original expertise by Galerie Zacke dated April 2004 is accompanying this lot.
Weight: 1,188 g.
Dimensions: Height 26.8 cm.
The Northern Wei was a foreign dynasty founded by the Tuoba (Tabgach) clan of the Xianbei, an ancient nomadic people. Their rather small horses, like the present figure, were fast and highstamina nomadic animals.