Horse Head as a Body Attachment

Animal Figure

The horse-head is formed as an attachment to a separately designed body. The legs were possibly carved from wood. The front view appears slim and elegant. From the side view you get a very vivid impression. The material is reddish clay with grey traces from former painting.

Object ID
Han_016

Age
Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD)

Material
Ceramics

Color
reddish with grey painting traces

Length
20 cm

Diameter (bottom)
8.3 cm

Height
22 cm

Standfoot / base
14 cm

Condition
Good

Price
on request

Description

The horse-head is formed as an attachment to a separately designed body. The individual parts were only placed on top of each other. The legs were possibly carved from wood, but disappeared during the millennia. [1] The front view appears slim and elegant. From the side view you get a very vivid impression. The material is reddish clay. There are also traces from the former grey painting on the eyes, ears, nostrils and mane. The mouth is slightly open. The bottom is oval with a strong smooth edge to place on the body. The figure is inside hollow.
Horses in many variations and materials belonged to the important grave goods of the Han Dynasty. (HV)

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[1] Goepper, Roger (1968); Kunst und Kunsthandwerk Ostasiens. Ein Handbuch für Sammler und Liebhaber. Keysersche Verlagsbuchhandlung München. München. 72