During the Tang Dynasty, horses were revered,
considered relatives of the mythical dragon. This
veneration was well earned, for the speed and
stamina of these majestic animals ensured the
protection of the northern borders against
barbarian invaders as well as enhancing
communication capabilities between far away
provinces, thereby aiding in the expansion of the
empire. The need to import horses from Central
Asia influenced the creation of the Silk Road.
Thus, they were also prized for their rarity.
Naturally then, horses became a status symbol
for the aristocratic elite. Polo and other
equestrian pastimes became popular. This
sculpture, depicting a lady-in-waiting riding on
the back of a gray horse with its head held
downwards, reveals this connection between
nobility and the horse. Perhaps the most
remarkable feature of this work is the removable
saddle and rider that detach from the body of
the horse in one piece. Some of the original
polychrome still remains intact, clearly visible in
the lady’s burgundy dress and the white
numnah, or saddle blanket. We can imagine this
lady prancing around on this horse, perhaps
taking part in an important ceremony. She wears
a long-sleeved dress, a type of which was used
in a popular dance where the lady swirls the
excess fabric around in the air. Discovered
buried inside a tomb, this work was supposed to
accompany the deceased throughout the
afterlife. The striking beauty of this work is even
more impressive, considering that it was created
specifically for interment and was not supposed
to be seen by the living. Today, we marvel in the
beauty of this sculpture as much as its
tremendous history and intriguing legacy.
- (H.1015)
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