China - Northern Wei Dynasty (534-557) - Warrior On Horseback - Terracotta

The Wei dynasty was an important period in Chinese history. Founded by Tuoba Xianbei, it was born in northern China and reigned from (386-535). It was also the first dynasty to unify the Chinese states under a single ruler and the first to adopt Confucianism as the official state ideology. She is known for her military prowess as soldiers and horsemen. Wei sculptures, part of ancient Chinese art, which dates back to (386-534 BC) are made of terracotta or ceramic and generally represent moving figures, scenes from daily life, or mythology and of religion. Our terracotta sculpture represents a horseman from the Northern Wei Dynasty, seated on his horse wearing a helmet and soldiers' armor. On which we distinguish remnants of red polygrammy. The horse in rest, placed on a flat base, wears a bard which serves as protection against possible shocks. The sculpture is covered with a gray engobe typical of the Wei period, and reveals in places thin layers of ocher earth.