Sancai-glazed Earthenware Zodiac Figure

Tang dynasty, 618 - 907

This zodiac figure is remarkable for its crisply modelled equine head, combined with its kneeling human body wearing official robes. Although full sets of unglazed zodiac animal figures are known from the Northern Wei period, sancai-glazed zodiac figures dating to the Tang dynasty are very rare. This zodiac horse would have formed part of a set of twelve to indicate the twelve-year cycle of the Chinese lunar calendar and the twelve two-hour periods in the day. This figure is notable for its fine modelling, carefully controlled sancai-glaze and above all, for the air of benign empathy that it emanates.