A PAINTED POTTERY FIGURE OF A PRANCING HORSE TANG DYNASTY, 7TH / 8TH CENTURY

well-modeled in spirited pose with a briskly raised right foreleg and head uplifted, mouth agape, flaring nostrils and bulging eyes, the animal's features finely detailed with forelock swept back towards the full, flowing mane falling just short of the well-articulated saddle with stirrups, the ornamented bridle and harness suspending embossed bells, traces of red and black pigments over white slip

Collection of Arthur B. Michael (1853-1942), Newton Center, Massachusetts (bequest of 1942).
Collection of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York, no. 1942:16.19.
Sotheby's New York, 20th March 2007, lot 509.

Andrew C. Ritchie, Catalogue of the Paintings and Sculpture in the Permanent Collection, Albright-Knox Gallery, Buffalo, 1949, cat. no. 214.
Steven A. Nash, with Katy Kline, Charlotta Kotik and Emese Wood, Albright-Knox Art Gallery:Painting and Sculpture from Antiquity to 1942, New York, 1979, p. 106.

The horse has expected restored breaks to the extremities; a clean break across the legs, two breaks to the mane, the tip of one ear, both forelocks, and the tail. There is also a repaired Y-form crack to the haunches. The surface with general appropriate wear and pigment loss.
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.

With its dynamic pose and well-defined musculature, the horse conveys a lively sense of energy which is heightened by the whinnying implied by its open mouth and pleasant jingling of moving bells. The long elegant mane and prancing position represent one of a highly desirable and rare group of trained dancing horses that were much in demand by the imperial household and its guests.