Horse
Chinese; Song – early Ming Dynasty (AD 960-c.1460)
Terracotta; 36 x 31 in.
Gift of Heather Sacre
2001.6.1.1-.3
Horses have played a vital role in the history of China for thousands of years. Some evidence suggests that they were first domesticated as early as the 13th century BC. During the Han Dynasty the Chinese Emperor Wudi began a vigorous breeding program that introduced new horses from the north and west Asian continent. The results were larger, heftier and stronger horses especially useful in military operations. The custom of bringing found and captured horses from other regions for the purpose of developing superior breeds became customary. In this way, the horse transcended its role as transport and beast of burden and came to represent prestige, power, wealth and success. The lavish tombs of Chinese emperors and nobility often contained large and full size terracotta horses. In the most elaborate cases, terracotta horses are found accompanying chariots and as components of terracotta armies.
The horse pictured here possesses traits of good breeding and care taking including attentive ears, bulging eyes, flaring nostrils, a manicured mane and a knotted tail. The open mouth and raised front leg add to the liveliness of the horse.
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