This general type of Chinese burial art is known
as mingqi. Mingqi were any of a variety of
objects specifically created for interment in the
tombs of elite individuals in order to provide for
the afterlife. Many of these works reflect
Chinese contact with a variety of foreigners
including Jewish merchants, Persian traders, and
various tribes from Central Asia who were
essential for their supply of fine steeds. The
great influence of the horse throughout the
history of China cannot be underestimated. In
fact, the ancient expansion of the Chinese
Empire was due in large part to the horse. The
rapid mobility of horses allowed for quick
communication between far away provinces.
Likewise, the military role of horses aided in the
defense of the borders from nomadic invaders as
well as the conquest and submission of distant
lands. The need to import stronger, faster
steeds from Central Asia (as opposed to the local
Mongol pony) led to the creation of the Silk
Road. The importance of the horse in the history
and culture of China can be viewed, in part,
through the artistic legacy of this great
civilization. In sculpture, painting, and literature,
horses were glorified and revered. Furthermore,
horses were believed to be relatives of the
mythological dragon, reflecting their sacred
status within society. This sculpture depicts a
foreigner riding horseback; his hat, nose, and
beard reveal his foreign status. Most probably,
he was merchant from the Turkish tribes of
Central Asia working the Silk Road. Perhaps he
has brought this steed to China in order to trade
for precious silk. The early dating of this work is
reflective of the stylization of the horses head
and legs that were characteristic of the preceding
Sui Dynasty. Overall, this sculpture is a
testament to the revered status of the horse in
Chinese culture, a love that reached new heights
of expression during the Tang Dynasty.
- (H.689)
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