Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Chinese Ming Celestial Mingqi Horse Figure

About the Item

This hand carved Chinese wooden horse is a type of centuries-old burial figurine known as míngqì. Depicting the pleasures of daily life, míngqì figurines were offerings to one's spirit to ensure comfort and special treatment in the afterlife. Míngqì often take the shape of servants, dancers, musicians, concubines, and livestock. Although míngqì have been constructed of wood since as early as the Han dynasty, intact forms are quite rare - making this horse burial figure an extraordinary find. The wooden figure has aged beautifully from centuries of undisturbed preservation, yet has remarkably retained much of its original decoration and definition of form. With a low rump, arched neck, and four straight legs, the delicate horse is carved in the Northern Wei style (386-534), but likely dates to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). We've set this lively horse on a custom steel mount to return it to its original robust stature and elevate the piece as a fantastic sculpture.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Width: 25.5 in (64.77 cm)Depth: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)
  • Style:
    Ming (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    AD 1368-1644
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: P022A1stDibs: LU820018130622

More From This Seller

View All
Chinese Miniature Mingqi Robe Rack, c. 680
Located in Chicago, IL
This miniature robe rack made out of glazed ceramic is called a mingqi or “spirit object.” Mingqi were buried in tombs and represented all of the things the ...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Sancai Glazed Buddhist Arhat, Ming Dynasty, c. 1600
Located in Chicago, IL
This imposing figure is the head of an Arhat, a Buddhist devotee who has attained enlightenment, also called a “Luohan.” The eighteen original Arhat are the personal disciples of Buddha and the guardians of Buddhist adherents. Each is represented with a unique disposition, posture, and distinctive symbol. This exquisitely formed monumental ceramic Arhat dates to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and has likely been separated from its original full body sculpture...
Category

Antique Early 17th Century Chinese Ming Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Chinese Carved Ancestor Figure, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Ancestor worship was an integral part of traditional Chinese home life. This carved figure bears the likeness of one of its original owner's important for...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Primitive Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Tibeto-Chinese Seated Lama Figure, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Cast in brass with a rich patina, this seated figure is a Lama, a spiritual master and teacher of the Dharma in Tibetan Buddhism. The figure likely de...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Tibetan Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Brass

Chinese Polychrome Seated Ancestor Figure, C. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
An integral part of traditional Chinese home life, ancestor worship before a domestic altar often featured painted ancestral portraits or tabletop ancestor figure...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Chinese Polychrome Seated Ancestor Figure, C. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
An integral part of traditional Chinese home life, ancestor worship before a domestic altar often featured painted ancestral portraits or tabletop ance...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

You May Also Like

Antique Ming Dynasty Chinese Earthenware Horse Sculpture Míngqì Tomb Figure
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce 600 year old (approx) Chinese pottery Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) large glazed earthenware míngqì tomb figure, modeled as horse sculpture with saddle, stirrups, and integral ba...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Ming Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Earthenware

Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed Tall Attendant Figure, 16th-17th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A tall Chinese green and amber glazed figure of an attendant, Ming Dynasty, 16th-17th century, China. The figure stands upon an integral plinth, dressed in long robes...
Category

Antique 17th Century Chinese Ming Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Pottery

Chinese Ming Dynasty Carved Wood Budda
Located in Dallas, TX
A carved wood Budda from the Shanxi region, made during the Ming Dynasty. The carved figure has an ancient polychrome finish.
Category

Antique Mid-17th Century Chinese Ming Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Ming Dynasty Bronze Figure of the Infant Buddha
Located in Austin, TX
A rare and unusual Chinese Ming Dynasty bronze figure of the Buddha as an infant. The young Prince Siddhartha, who would grow up to become the Buddha, is portrayed standing, one hand pointing to the sky, the other to the ground. He is naked, save for a baby apron...
Category

Antique 16th Century Chinese Ming Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Ming Style Bronze Metal Seated Buddha
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive Chinese bronze metal Buddha sculpture depicted sitting. Beautifully crafted in the Ming style with intricate details. The bronze has a rich pat...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Chinese Carved Wood Teaching Buddha in Ming Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
A statue of standing Buddha (Shakyamuni), finely carved out a single block of wood (might be cypress based on the wood grains). Attired in a flowing robe with open chest, the Buddha ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Ming Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Recently Viewed

View All