China - Funeral Horse - Han Dynasty - Tl

A terracotta funerary horse, dating from the Han dynasty, depicting a standing equine with an upright neck and a slightly forward head, in a calm and stable posture. The silhouette is compact and harmonious, the body full and slightly cylindrical, the limbs straight, ending in stylized hooves resting firmly on a horizontal plane. The head, with its restrained yet expressive modeling, features hollowed nostrils, a slightly open mouth, and erect ears. The powerful neck extends in a continuous line to the withers. The short tail, set slightly in relief at the hindquarters, is in keeping with the formal Han tradition. The terracotta, with its ochre-gray clay, has a richly textured surface, with numerous traces of slip and residual reddish-brown and ochre pigments, revealing long-standing burial. The chromatic variations, natural micro-flaking, and superficial mineral concretions attest to a prolonged period of burial. The object is accompanied by a thermoluminescence test, confirming the authenticity of the dating. Origin: China. Period: Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). Dimensions: Height 28.5 cm; Length 29 cm. Condition: Very good condition, with minor restorations. Provenance: French art market.