Ca. 618-906 AD A breathtakingly beautiful terracotta polo rider depicted sitting on a galloping horse. The figure's face is sensitively painted with elaborate details, elongated eyes, pointed nose, and crisply carved mouths painted in red. The figure is depicted wearing an elaborate coiffure which is drawn into a loose loop that hangs slightly forwards. The hands raised to grasp the polo stick that it would have held. The hollow-molded horse features well-defined ears, eyes, nose, and nostrils. The eyes, saddles, and trappings have been added in black pigment. The horse extends his legs in a dynamic pose in mid-air to give the illusion of the action of a polo game. The original pigmentation survives largely intact. Decorated in a red pigment, the terracotta-coloured saddle and cloth are still prominent. Pair with Lot 474. This piece has been precisely dated by means of a Thermo Luminescence analysis carried out by Ralf Kotalla, an independent German Laboratory. The samples collected date the piece to the period reflected in its style, whilst also showing no modern trace elements. The TL certificate with its full report will accompany this lot. Size: L:84mm / W:110mm ; 415g Provenance: Private London collection of Asian Art; formerly with Robert Ungar, Parthnon Gallery. Acquired in 2015. Formerly in 1990s UK collection.