A painted pottery model of a horse and female entertainerTang DynastyWell modelled, the horse standing four-square with head down, the sinewy body painted with carmine pigments setting off the black painted saddle, the female rider with peaceful facial expression, wearing a headdress featuring raised circular bosses, with one hand touching her chest. 37cm (14 3/5in) high.注脚唐 陶胎彩繪仕女騎馬俑Provenance: John Eskenazi Ltd., London, 9 February 1995John J. Studzinski, CBE 來源：英國倫敦古董商，John Eskenazi Ltd.，1995年2月9日大英帝國司令勳章受勳者John J. Studzinski珍藏The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test no. 666c66 dated 22 May 1992, is consistent with the dating of this lot.Oxford Authentication Ltd公司熱釋光檢測結果（1992年5月22日，編號666c66）顯示年代與本拍品年代一致。Dressed in a long sleeved tunic, the present figure may have been deemed to represent a female entertainer engaging in a musical and whirling dance performance. Because music enjoyed such a great popularity at the Tang court, a special section was set up to train both Chinese and foreign female entertainers. Tributes in form of dancing and singing troupes were presented to the Chinese court from Persia and Central Asian countries. Songs and dances from the Western regions gradually blended within the Han Chinese culture during the Tang dynasty, forming an essential aspect of performances.Compare with a related figure of a horse and rider, Tang dynasty, which was sold at Bonhams New York, 19 March 2018, lot 8039.