2012.91.45, horse head, painted ceramic; height 28 cm (11 inches)
Eason Eige collection; photo by B. Bernard
2012.91.45, horse head, painted ceramic; height 28 cm (11 inches)
Eason Eige collection; photo by B. Bernard
Originally this horse head was part of a complete horse, modeled in sections. The complete version was at least 75 centimeters (30 inches) tall. The size of the piece, as well as the careful modeling of the horse's features, indicate that the horse replica was placed in the tomb of an important individual. That person, whoever he or she was, would have ridden a horse in actual life.
The role of such tomb offerings is explained on our page on mingqi.
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