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- Tomb Figurines of a Pair of Horses
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Ceramics
Tomb Figurines of a Pair of Horses
- China, Tang Dynasty, 8th century
- Three-color-glazed pottery
- (White horse) H. 71.2 cm, L. 82.5 cm
- (Black horse) H. 70.0 cm, L. 76.5 cm
- Donated by Mrs. Kinuko Zenidaka
- Kyoto National Museum (GK214)
These black and white tomb figurines are meant to portray rare breeds of horses. The black horse, covered in dark-brown glaze, has an unusual metallic luster. The white horse's strange, pinkish coloring was achieved by coating white clay with a white-slip, spotting with yellow primer, then applying an over-coat of white glaze. The saddles and other trappings are beautifully colored in three-color glazes. Few of the many other existing tomb horses can rival the elaborate workmanship on this pair.
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