China - Musician Rider With Drum - Ming Dynasty - Tl

Musician rider represented by a bearded male figure wearing a bonnet, seated on a harnessed horse and flanked by a drum attached at the waist, in terracotta with green and amber lead glaze decoration. The rider is depicted in full action, his hands positioned to strike the drum attached at the waist. The head features a face with pronounced features, a short beard and a typical conical headdress. This anthropomorphic realism testifies to the craftsman's desire to breathe soul into the terracotta. For Ming pieces of this size, it was customary to mold the body and head separately. This enabled more even firing and avoided cracks due to thermal stress. The horse, meanwhile, is camped solidly on a rectangular base, ears erect, ready to advance. The object is accompanied by a thermoluminescence test that authenticates its authenticity. This major work belongs to the Mingqi tradition. These statuettes were intended to accompany the deceased to ensure his prestige and entertainment in the afterlife. This rider, through his function as musician (drummer), suggests a ceremonial procession, a symbol of high social rank.
Origin:China.
Era:Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
Dimensions:Height:33 cm; Length: 27 cm; width: 12 cm.
Conditions:Very good condition, Marked excavation irisations; slight glaze skips consistent with age.
Provenance:Private collection of Dr. Vanderweerden.