Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage bronze sculpture features a galloping horse stepping on a flying bird, with prominent green verdigris patina on highly detailed cast. The sculpture is a replica of the Flying Horse of Gansu, also known as the Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow, probably made in 1970s. The figurine has fitted carved wood base on rounded feet; the natural warm tones of the wood bring out the beautiful patina colors, enhancing the presentation.
The original bronze sculpture, dating back to the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 CE), was discovered in 1969 in a Han dynasty tomb in Gansu Province, China. It is described as "perfectly balanced on the one hoof which rests without pressure on a flying swallow, it is a remarkable example of three-dimensional form and of animal portraiture with the head vividly expressing mettlesome vigor." It was determined that the tomb belonged to an army general who had been given the important task of maintaining imperial frontier defenses. The horse is believed to be a "celestial horse" or "blood-sweating horse", a Mongolian breed brought to China from Fergana on emperor's orders in 104 BCE, that was highly prized as mark of status by the Han elite and military society. The sculpture was exhibited internationally in the 1970s to a great success, but in 2002 it was included the Gansu Flying Horse in the inaugural list of 64 grade-one cultural relics that are forbidden to be taken out of mainland China for exhibition.
The sculpture is not marked; we are offering a similar Han horse...
Category
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Bronze Sculptures
