Lot 25, Auction 3/19/2026: Han Dynasty Polychrome Horse Rider Figure

$650.00

In stock

East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A quietly dignified horse rider sits in composed stillness, his posture upright and ceremonial, offering a vivid glimpse into the martial ideals and funerary beliefs of Han dynasty China. Modeled in pottery and once brightly painted, the figure wears a long robe rendered in dark pigment, its lapels and sash highlighted with traces of red that remain visible despite centuries of burial. The garment falls in a broad, flared silhouette, concealing the legs and creating a stable base that suggests the presence of a mount beneath, now absent. His hands are hollowed and positioned forward, originally intended to grasp reins or riding equipment, reinforcing the identification of the figure as an equestrian. Size: 5.6″ W x 8.4″ H (14.2 cm x 21.3 cm)

The face is softly modeled with a calm, reserved expression, the lips faintly tinted red and the features simplified in keeping with Han sculptural conventions. The head is capped with a rounded headdress or coiffure, marking social status and formal identity. Subtle asymmetries and surface wear attest to hand modeling and long interment, while the remaining pigments hint at the figure’s original visual impact.

Such pottery horse riders were produced for tomb assemblages, where they served as mingqi, or spirit objects, intended to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. During the Han dynasty, horses were powerful symbols of military strength, mobility, and imperial authority, essential to both warfare and communication across the expanding empire. Figures like this one embodied those values, ensuring continued status, protection, and service beyond death. With its restrained modeling, weathered surface, and lingering traces of color, this Han dynasty horse rider stands as a poignant survivor of ancient funerary practice, carrying forward the image of rank, duty, and eternal motion stilled in clay.

Condition: Weathering to surface with a few chips to base, as well as nicks and abrasions in areas, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and very nice with good remaining pigments.

Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection; ex-major gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, primarily acquired between 1985 and 2005

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

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