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The great influence of the horse throughout the
history of China cannot be underestimated. In
fact, the ancient unification of the Chinese
Empire was due in large part to the horse. Their
rapid mobility allowed for quick communication
between far away provinces. Likewise, the
military role of horses aided in the conquest and
submission of distant lands. The need to import
stronger, faster steeds from Central Asia (as
opposed to the native 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,
believed to be relatives of dragons, a theory
reflecting their sacred status within society.
During the Tang Dynasty, the adoration of the
horse can be seen through their burial art. Horse
models excavated from mausoleums of the
period are among the most splendid and easily
recognizable works of Chinese art.
This work is remarkable for the amount of the
original pigment that has survived the ravages of
time, specifically apparent on the orange saddle
and black reins. Equally impressive is the fact
that the saddle has been separately crafted; it
may once have supported a rider who is now lost
to us. This gorgeous sculpture is a testament to
the admiration and adoration the Chinese had for
these marvelous creatures. Although they were
an integral part in the expansion and defense of
the empire, they were equally regarded for their
beauty and grace as revealed by this sculpture.
- (DL.2088)
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