Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty terracotta horse with rider - 25 cm (No reserve price)

The Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) was a golden age in Chinese history, noted for cultural flourishing and artistic achievements. Among the vivid representations of this era are terracotta sculptures, including horses with riders, which often served as funerary objects placed in tombs to accompany and assist the deceased in the afterlife. These terracotta figures typically reveal detailed craftsmanship, capturing equestrian postures, ornate saddlery, and clothing reflective of the period. The horse was a prized animal symbolizing status, power, and military strength in Tang society. Riders often represent courtiers or cavalrymen, emphasizing the dynasty's military and cultural prowess. Such sculptures are important for understanding Tang art, burial customs, and the socio-political symbolism conveyed through funerary objects in ancient China.