OO21. Horse head, 6" high, 6" . Gray earthenware pottery horse head; Han Dynasty, China, BC206-AD221. This style of head was normally mounted on a terra-cotta body that stood on wooden legs. The shape of the head indicates that it could be a bactrian pony, descended from the Perso-Arab horses brought to China in large numbers from eastern Turkestan to serve as mounts for the cavalry. It measures 15cm in height x 14cm nose to back. There is a hole through the back of the mouth where a wooden bridle bit and reins were attached as well as two holes near the ears where some type of adornment would have been affixed. Fine red dirt loosely adheres from excavation. This was a funeary piece excavated from a tomb, possibly that of a military leader.
- $375 -
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