Tomb Figurines of a Pair of Horses

• Three-color-glazed pottery
• White horse:
  Height: 71.2 cm
  Length: 82.5 cm
• Black horse:
  Height: 70.0 cm
  Length: 76.5 cm
• China, Tang Dynasty (8th Century)
• Donated by Mrs. Kinuko Zenidaka
• Important Art Object
• GK 214
• Kyoto National Museum

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.