2012.91.210, horseback musician and attendant.
Eason Eige collection; photo by B. Bernard
2012.91.210, horseback musician and attendant.
Eason Eige collection; photo by B. Bernard
Tang dynasty tombs could include groups of mounted musicians, and perhaps a falconer. If you're a nobleman riding with your friends, what could be more pleasant than music in the background?
The seated attendant is so similar to the mounted musician that it probably came from the same group of burial offerings ... if they came from a burial. Such pieces were widely copied in later times, including during the 1700s and 1800s to serve the Western market. Because of the later copies, we have referred to these two pieces as Tang "style."
The pieces were painted and only traces of the paint remain.
The horse
and rider stand 4 inches (10 cm) tall. If you're wondering what that small
object is next to the two figures, it's the horse's tail. Since the photo
was taken, the tail has been reattached. For a second view of the musician
and attendant, including where the horse's tail came off, please click
here.
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