Circa 618-906 AD A beautiful hollow-moulded terracotta horse, modelled in a standing pose. An elegantly arched neck with lubtuous long flowing mane in black pigment, the head painted in white with black detailing, closed mouth, flaring nostrils, bulging eyes under heavy eyebrows, muscular body, dark brown painted body, the tail tied short and secured with a string; standing on a rectangular base, hollow to the underside. The saddle is decorated in brown pigment. Seated by an musician wearing a long and voluminous robe enriched in yellow and green pigment, secured by a loose belt over wide trousers. He has round face with well-articulated features out in black and red pigments, the hair gathered in a double bun topknot secured with a black kerchief. The rider seems to be holding what appears to be a flute in two hands decorated in black pigment. Horses were an important status symbol during the Tang golden age. They were the rewards of victorious military campaigns which lead to imperial stability and wealth. The Tang emperors often described their prized horses in detailmenting on their colouration, conformation and temperament. This piece has been precisely dated by means of a Thermo Luminescence analysis carried out by Oxford Authentication. The samples collected date the piece to the period reflected in its style, whilst also showing no modern trace elements. The TL certificate will apany this lot. Size: L:420mm / W:380mm; 3.6kg Provenance: UK private collection; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.