A FINELY MODELED PAINTED GRAY POTTERY FIGURE OF A HORSE NORTHERN QI DYNASTY

the elegant horse standing foursquare with head held high, the narrow face with large expressive eyes, pricked ears and forelock swept up, the hogged mane arched down to the shoulders, applied with a chest strap hung with floret and fur tassels, the crupper strap with pendent bells, mask and rosette medallions behind the saddle blanket gathered in folds, all with traces of white slip and maroon, orange and green pigments and ample gilt details

Acquired in Hong Kong, early 1980s.

The horse was inspected under UV light, which revealed fluorescence on both ears and the upswept forelock (probably replacements). There was also fluorescence on the tops of each leg, indicating that they have been restuck. One of the tassels suspending from the neck is a replacement. The top of the tail has been restuck. The gold leaf embellishments and the black pigment have most likely been re-touched.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A closely related pair of horses with similar gilding was included in the exhibition Important Asian Art, New York, 2000, cat. no. 4. A pottery caparisoned horse was excavated from the Eastern Wei tomb, Cixian, Hebei province, and is illustrated in Wenwu, 1984. no. 4, pl. 5.2, with a line drawing on p. 6, fig. 7:3. For the Northern Wei prototype compare a smaller figure of a horse offered in these rooms, 1st December 1992, lot 233.

The dating of this lot is consistent with the result of a thermoluminescence test, Oxford Authentication Ltd., no. C299b21.