A Set of Chinese Pottery Horse and Rider

Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD)This terracotta figure portrays a mounted rider seated atop a sturdy horse, both rendered in the restrained yet expressive style characteristic of Han dynasty funerary art. The horse stands firmly with a broad chest and rounded body, conveying stability and strength, while the rider is depicted wearing a long robe with wide sleeves, extending both hands forward as if grasping reins or ceremonial equipment. Traces of the original polychrome decoration remain visible across the surface, including red, white, and black pigments that once enhanced the details of the horse’s harness and the rider’s attire. Created as a mingqi (spirit object), this sculpture was intended for placement within a tomb to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. Horses held exceptional significance in Han China, serving as symbols of military power, social prestige, and imperial authority. Mounted figures such as this not only reflected the elevated status of the tomb occupant but also embodied the belief that essential...