Circa 618-907 AD A large and beautiful hollow-moulded terracotta horse, modelled in a standing pose on a square base. The horse's neck is slightly turned to the left, with its ears pricked forward attentively. The muscles are rendered in amazing detail on the neck and hind quarters. The tail is depicted docked and bound in the traditional fashion. Decorated in a red pigment, the blue-grey coloured saddle and white saddle, blue boarded and red floral designed cloth are still vibrant. The horse's trappings, include an elaborate harness with dangling tassels and a bridle with matching tassels. Horses were an important status symbol during the Tang golden age. They were the rewards of victorious military campaigns which lead to imperial stability and wealth. Indeed, the Tang emperors often described their favourite horses in detailmenting on their colouration, conformation, and temperament. The Tang emperors often described their favourite horses in detailmenting on their colouration, conformation, and temperament. 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 apany this lot. Size: L:600mm / W:620mm; 16kg Provenance: East Anglian private collection; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.