A Grey Pottery Recumbent Horse

Han Dynasty, China, 206 BCE–220 CEA grey terracotta horse created as a mingqi funerary object in an elite tomb during the Han Dynasty. This type of pottery figure was made from multiple parts; the head, the torso and four legs are all separate pieces. The legs were wooden and had rotted away. Robust and muscular, Han equestrian sculpture reflects the importance of horses in military, ceremonial, and imperial life. Traces of original red and white pigments remain visible across the surface, once emphasizing details such as saddles, bridles, and decorative harnesses. Figures of this type were intended to accompany and serve the deceased in the afterlife while symbolizing power and prestige.