15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
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2,328
6,059
8,516
7,698
3,430
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Period: 15th Century and Earlier
Paperweight. A Petrified piece of wood polished on one side.
Located in Stockholm, SE
This stunning paperweight is a piece of genuine petrified wood, expertly polished on one side to reveal its extraordinary natural beauty. The polished surface displays a vibrant arra...
Category
Unknown Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Petrified Wood
Thick Deep Purple Slice with Snowballs
Located in London, GB
This striking circular slice preserves the end of a large geode. Lined with deep
purple, high peaked amethyst crystals, this wonderful piece is punctuated with
small calcites overl...
Category
Uruguayan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Agate, Amethyst, Quartz
13th Century Chinese Song Dynasty Shipwreck Vessel, China
Located in New York, NY
13th century China Song Dynasty small four handled shipwreck vessel.
Beautiful and natural patina from being submerged under water.
Part of a very large collection of shipwrecked pot...
Category
Chinese Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Freestanding Polished Lapis Lazuli Freeform
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large scale freestanding polished lapis lazuli freeform originating from Afghanistan, one of two similar naturally-formed lapis lazuli specimens we are selling.
With its naturally...
Category
Afghan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Natural Fiber
Large Natural Madagascan Green Fluorite Specimen
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A striking large natural Madagascan green fluorite specimen sourced from an ex UK collection.
This fluorite specimen is of an impressive scale and unusual irregular shape with large...
Category
Malagasy Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Natural Fiber
Collection of 3 Natural Mineral Cabinet Specimens
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A varied and impressive collection of 3 natural mineral specimens, each presented on an exclusive medium neoclassical style plaster plinth.
Featuring a Celestite, tourmaline and Mad...
Category
Malagasy Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Natural Fiber
North American Selenite sculpture
Located in London, GB
A sculpture of unknown origin and mineral charm, with smooth and craggy facets like a translucent cliff face. Ethereal selenite is a crystallised form of gypsum, formed when sulphate...
Category
North American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Rare English Romanesque Limestone Capital on Stand
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This weathered English Romanesque limestone capital is centuries old, dating from the Norman era of the 11th and 12th centuries. Originating from Oxf...
Category
English Medieval Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone, Limestone
Artefact from the Maghreb Sculptured Torso Figure
Located in Scorton, GB
A human torso (lacking head) carved from a limestone [yet to be determined]; the enigmatic whole torso is strongly represented in an upright stance, arms purposefully rigid to each s...
Category
Malian Prehistoric Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Han Dynasty Gray Pottery Figure of a Female Kneeling Long Sleeve Dancer
Located in Austin, TX
A stunningly quiet and elegant Western Han dynasty (206 BCE - 9 CE) high fired gray pottery figure of a female long sleeved dancer.
The young dancer is portrayed in a moment of quie...
Category
Chinese Han Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
French Gothic Stone Lion, 15th Century
Located in Charlottesville, VA
French Gothic Stone Lion. a reclining stone lion with shaped base, 15th Century. Found at St. Sulpice. Height: overall 7 in. x Width: 11 in. x Depth: 6 1/2 in.
Category
French Gothic Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Northern Wei Dynasty Terracotta Sculpture Of A Seated Buddha 386-534 AD
Located in Dallas, TX
C. 386-534 AD. Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty.
A pre Tang Dynasty terracotta brick in a cream-coloured fabric featuring a beautiful depiction of a...
Category
Chinese Han Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
437.51 Gram Lovely Morganite Specimen With Muscovite From Kunar, Afghanistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
437.51 Gram Lovely Morganite Specimen With Muscovite From Kunar, Afghanistan
Weight: 437.51 Gram
Dimension: 8.5 x 10 x 5.1 Cm
Origin: Kunar, Afghanistan
With its soft pinkish hu...
Category
Afghan Adam Style Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Rock Crystal
A modelled pale turquoise glazed Ushabti, Ex Sotheby's
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A finely modelled pale turquoise glazed Ushabti, Circa 26th Dynasty 664-525BC
Provenance: Sotheby’s London Lot 76 14/12/1981 for 725.00 Pounds sterling as part of a group lot.
Category
Egyptian Egyptian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Mayan Pre-Columbian Carved Stone Maskette
Located in Astoria, NY
Mayan Pre-Columbian Carved Stone Maskette, on a fitted metal stand. Overall: 4.5" H x 2" W x 2" D. Provenance: From the Upper East Side Apartment of a Former Ambassador.
Category
Mexican Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Antique Southeast Asian Ceramic Fish Bowl Thailand Sukhothai Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A shallow ceramic bowl from Sukhothai period of Thailand circa 14th-15th century. The dish was hand molded with a coarse pinkish clay and it has a...
Category
Thai Archaistic Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Genuine Natural Pre Historic Basilousaurus Whale Tooth
Located in New York, NY
This well preserved tooth is 40 to 34 million years old from the Late Eocene Period. Basilosaurus was first thought to be a reptile but was later identified as a genus of ancient cet...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Archaic Jade Bi, Zhou Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
Translucent green and brown jade Bi from the Zhou Dynasty (1046 B.C. to 256 B.C.). The organic shapes created by the blending of these two main colors evoke a flame-like beauty, whil...
Category
Chinese Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Jade
Thai Celadon Plate, 15th Century
Located in New York, NY
A rare celadon plate from the kilns of Sangkhalok, one of the main centers of Thai ceramics during the Sukhotai period (1230-1438)
Well preserved for i...
Category
Thai Other Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Celadon
Greek Black Glazen Column Krater (4th Century BC)
Located in Soho, London, GB
Black Glazen column krater,
mid-4th century BC, Apulia.
With broad avoid body on a short echinus foot and thick mouth.
The two handles form loops around t...
Category
Italian Classical Greek Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Ancient Spirals: Fossilized Ammonite Pair on Modern Display 6"H
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Fossilized Ammonite Slices on Custom Metal Bases. This stunning pair of fossilized ammonite slices showcases the intricate and mesmerizing patterns of these ancient marine mo...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone, Metal
Large columnar agate and amethyst formation
Located in London, GB
Striking large vertical presentation displaying vibrant purple amethyst bordered by a thick agate layer. One of a group of four impressive specimens. Pieces such as this are hard t...
Category
Uruguayan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Agate, Amethyst, Quartz
Natural White Aragonite Specimen
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An impressive natural white aragonite specimen sourced from an ex historic UK private collection.
Originating from Madagascar, Aragonite, or cave calcite, is often referred to as ca...
Category
Malagasy Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Natural Fiber
Green Quartz var. Prasiolite Crystal Cluster Mineral Specimen – China
Located in Edison, NJ
Quartz can be found in nearly every corner of the earth, yet despite its abundance, there are some rarer varieties of quartz that differentiate themselves with their distinctive colo...
Category
Chinese Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Quartz
Rock Crystal Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Natural rock crystal sculpture with stand.
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Rock Crystal
White Calcite From Inner Mongolia, China
Located in New York, NY
From Huanggang Mine, Kèshíkèténg Qí, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China
Lustrous translucent gray-white with transparent colorless calcite crystals.
Weight: 3.9 lbs, Dimensions: 7 ...
Category
Chinese Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Other
Central Javanese Cast Silver Transcendent Buddha, 9th-12th Century, Indonesia
Located in Austin, TX
An exceedingly rare Javanese cast silver figure a Transcendent Buddha, probably the Dhayani Buddha Akshobhya, early classical Javanese period, 9th - 12th century, Java, Indonesia.
...
Category
Javanese Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Large Natural Native Pyrite Specimen
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large natural pyrite of an unusual form sourced from the ex UK private collection.
This native British mineral has a lustrous exterior that catches the light beautifully.
Natural...
Category
English Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Natural Fiber
Head of a Bearded Man, Terracotta, Magna Graecia, 4th Century Before Christ
Located in PARIS, FR
Head of a bearded man.
Terracotta.
Magna Graecia, 4th century before Christ.
Wood and bronze stand.
Height: 3,9 cm.
Overall: 10,7 cm.
Category
Italian Greco Roman Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Golden Calcite Mineral with Apophyllite Geode From Nasik District, India
Located in New York, NY
Cavansite on Stilbite with Stilbite from Wagholi Quarry, Maharashtra, India.
Lustrous spherical aggregates of vibrant royal blue cavansite crystals lined up across a bed of quartz m...
Category
Indian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Quartz, Other
Antique Chinese Ceramic Tea Leaf Storage Jar Song-Yuan Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stoneware pottery jar used for storage, made in southern China Fujian or Guangdong province since Song Dynasty for domestic use as well as export. They were widely exported to Japa...
Category
Chinese Archaistic Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Natural Rock Crystal Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Natural rock crystal sculpture on stand
Measures: 13”/L x 9”/D x 5”/H without stand.
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Rock Crystal
Large Natural Chrysocolla & Malachite Specimen
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A striking large natural bedrock specimen with a coating of chrysocolla and malachite displayed on a custom neoclassical style stand.
This specimen is of an unusual irregular shape ...
Category
Malagasy Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Natural Fiber
Costa Rica Pre Columbian Jade Axe Avian Celt God Pendant
Located in Dallas, TX
Pre-Columbian Jade Costa Rican Avian Effigy pendant Atlantic Watershed 500AD- 1500AD
Material: Jade
Measures: Length 9 inches
Width 1 inches
Depth .4 inch.
Exquisite Costa Rican jade (axe god...
Category
Costa Rican Pre-Columbian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Jade
236.5 Gram Pretty Aquamarine Crystal On Feldspar From Shigar Valley, Pakistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
236.5 Gram Pretty Aquamarine Crystal On Feldspar From Shigar Valley, Pakistan
Weight: 236.5 Gram
Dimension: 7.2 x 8.2 x 5 Cm
Origin: Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit Baltist...
Category
Pakistani Adam Style Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Rock Crystal
Rare Natural Quartz Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Salt-like, pinkish brown natural sculpture with copper on the surface. Polish brass stand. Measures: 11.5” /L x 7.5” /W x 5” /H.
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Quartz
Pre-Columbian Cupisnique Stirrup Vessel from Peru
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pre-Columbian ceramic stirrup vessel in Cupisnique style circa 700-500BCE. This ancient vessel features a robust squatted body and a short thick stirr...
Category
Peruvian Pre-Columbian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Chrysocolla After Barite with Malachite Coated with Drusy Quartz
Located in New York, NY
Chrysocolla after Barite with malachite coated with Drusy quartz
Lupoto Mine, Dem. Rep. of the Congo
This specimen is from a recent discovery. This piece began life as a barite and...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Coral like Round Geode with Polished Borders
Located in London, GB
Beautiful green-grey coral-like stalactites emerge from the interior lining of this
round geode. The borders polished to reveal the celdonite shell with the exterior
basalt still v...
Category
Uruguayan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Agate, Quartz
42.65 Carat Gorgeous Bi Color Tourmaline Specimen From Afghanistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
42.65 Carat Gorgeous Bi Color Tourmaline Specimen From Afghanistan
Weight: 42.65 Carat
Dimension: 2.7 x2.2 x 1.5 cm
Origin: Afghanistan
Tourmaline is a crystalline silicate miner...
Category
Afghan Adam Style Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Rock Crystal
Purple Fluorite from Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee
Located in New York, NY
Transparent 3D cubic purple fluorite crystals overgrown atop a cluster of lustrous sphalerite crystals on matrix. The fluorite has rich purple zoning outlining the crystal faces.
4....
Category
American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Other
Monumental Plate-like Fossilised Crinoid
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A monumental plate-like fossilised crinoid salvaged from a property housing an ex private British collection.
Thought to date to millions of years ago during the Devonian period, th...
Category
Moroccan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Natural Fiber
Dynamic Formation with Thick Agatised Borders
Located in London, GB
A dynamic formation with a thick blue-brown agatised border. The crystal
lined interior equally dynamic with shocks of electric amethyst contrasting
with darker colours on a bed of large stalactites...
Category
Uruguayan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Agate, Amethyst, Quartz
Large Polished Labradorite Freeform
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A spectacular large polished labradorite freeform sourced from Madagascar. Characterised by its iridescent colours, principally blue, this huge high grade labradorite is a stunning specimen, the lustrous colours fluctuating as it is observed from different angles. It is freestanding, making a striking sculptural piece for an interior, with a polished face to one side and a naturalistic reverse.
Labradorite is named after the region of its discovery at Paul Island in the Canadian province of Labrador, first discovered here in 1770. Madagascar is currently the main source of labradorite. To expose its stunning colours, the stone is highly polished, revealing its natural beauty. This in itself is a talented skill, with only a small percentage of labradorites yielding positive results, making this specimen a rare discovery.
We also have two other large labradorite...
Category
Malagasy Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Rock Crystal
Pair of Han Dynasty pottery Horses and Equestrian Riders
Located in Dallas, TX
A wonderful pair of Ex Sotheby’s painted Polychrome equestrian horse and riders made from gray pottery, presents beautifully and guaranteed authentic with provenance and COA.
Measures: Height 11.5 inches and width 11 inches
Condition: Possible professional restorations but not detectable.
Provenance: Sotheby’s London. 16th November, 1999. Lot 12 (2 of 4 horsed in that lot)
Sotheby’s New York, NY September 14, 2019.
AVANTIQUES is dedicated to providing an exclusive curated collection of Fine Arts, Paintings, Bronzes, Asian treasures, Art Glass and Antiques. Our inventory represents time-tested investment quality items with everlasting decorative beauty. We look forward to your business and appreciate any reasonable offers. All of our curated items are vetted and guaranteed authentic and as described. Avantiques only deals in original antiques and never reproductions. We stand behind our treasures with a full money back return if the items are not as described.
The importance of the horse in the history and culture of China can be viewed, in part, through the artistic legacy of this great civilization. In sculpture, painting, and literature, horses were glorified and revered. Horses were believed to be related to mythological dragons, reflecting their sacred status within society. During the unification of China under the Han Dynasty, bands of mounted nomadic warriors from the north threatened the country. In order to thwart their attacks, the Chinese sought to import stronger, faster steeds from Central Asia (as opposed to the Mongol ponies used by the invaders), eventually leading to the creation of the Silk Road. This small sculpture of a mounted soldier reveals the crucial military role of the horse. When compared to the diminutive stature of the rider, the importance of the horse becomes readily apparent. This creature provided security and strength, allowing the empire to secure its borders and expand its influences across Central Asia. The magnificent regalia of the horse, including a brilliantly painted saddle in red and green/gold, reflect the respect this animal received. The warrior as well is gorgeously decorated with a painted red tunic and gray chest...
Category
Chinese Han Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
African Bura Stone Funerary Marker
Located in Chicago, IL
This abstract stone sculpture is a funerary marker of the Bura people of the Niger/Mali region. Little is known about the Bura civilization (c. 200 to 1000 AD), but it shares many of...
Category
Nigerien Primitive Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Standing Carved Wood Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, Guanyin, China, 1368-1644
Located in Torino, IT
Early Ming standing carved wood Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin), China 1368-1644. This massive Bodhisattva Guanyin is depicted here in the...
Category
Chinese Ming Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Neanderthal Flint Core from Prehistoric Northern France
Located in London, GB
A Levallois Flint Core, from Fransu, Somme, Northern France
Middle Palaeolithic, Mousterian, circa 100,000–40,000 years ago
A wonderfully tactile artefact, offering a glimpse into t...
Category
French Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Small Formation of Clear Quartz on Thick Agate
Located in London, GB
Several small stalactites adorn this piece, covered in light orange druzy quartz.
This piece was legally and ethically sourced directly in the prestigious mines of Uruguay, South ...
Category
Uruguayan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Agate, Amethyst, Quartz
Gandharan Stucco Head of a Bodhisattva, Region of Hadda, 3rd-5th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A striking Gandharan molded stucco head of a male Bodhisattva, tentatively identified as Manjushri, ancient region of Gandhara, probably Hadda or surrounding area, 3rd-5th century.
The Bodhisattva is sculpted of stucco in an idealized manner as a youthful male, with soft and kind features, a benign expression on his face. He wears an elaborate pleated turban wrapped around his head, with two sweeping lobes at the front.
His turban secured on one side by a small image of a roaring lion. The lion may be read as a reference to Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, who is often depicted as riding or subduing a roaring lion, a metaphor for taming the wild thoughts of the mind.
Manjushri gazes outwards in a beatific manner from almond shaped eyes, a gentle smile on his lips. The eyes at different levels when looking at the sculpture head on, indicating the original placement of the head was meant to be viewed at an angle.
Remnants of pigments to the eyes, nose, mouth and ears.
Mounted on a custom black metal stand.
Hadda was an important center of Buddhist learning in the early history of Greco Buddhist Gandhara, and at one time may have housed a bone relic of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. The sculpture and architecture of Hadda followed Hellenistic artistic conventions faithfully, leading some scholars to believe the distinct Greco Buddhist style of Gandhara was first developed in Hadda before spreading to the rest of the region.
The kingdom of Gandhara was situated at a crossroads of trade and cultures. Being one of the last remnants of Alexander the Great's Empire, the inhabitants of the Greco-Bactrian Buddhist kingdom preserved Greek culture and heritage for centuries after the decline of the Greek Empire...
Category
Afghan Hellenistic Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stucco
97.55 Gram Fadan Quartz Crystal Cluster From Balochistan, Pakistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
97.55 Gram Fadan Quartz Crystal Cluster From Balochistan, Pakistan
Weight: 97.55 Gram
Dimension: 5.1 x 8.5 x 3.9 Cm
Origin: Balochistan, Pakistan
What is special about quartz?
...
Category
Pakistani Adam Style Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Rock Crystal
Schorl Tourmaline with Aquamarine, Pakistan
Located in New York, NY
SCHORL TOURMALINE WITH AQUAMARINE
Shengus, Roundu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
19.2 cm tall x 6.2 cm wide
Gilgit-Baltistan (formerly known as...
Category
Pakistani Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Huge Desert Crystal Rose Formation on Steel
Located in Scorton, GB
Desert Rosette Crystal, a desert rose, crystal formation of the Western desert of the northern Sahara, naturally formed approximately 2 million to 500 thousand years ago.
Desert Ro...
Category
Algerian Prehistoric Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone
Enchanting Hemimorphite: Blue Stone Wonder from China
Located in London, GB
Immerse yourself in the captivating hues of this exceptional hemimorphite specimen from China. This unique piece showcases a mesmerizing gradient of colors, transitioning smoothly fr...
Category
Chinese Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Quartz
Black And Taupe Large Petrified Wood Free Form Bowl, Indonesia, Prehistoric
Located in New York, NY
Indonesian large petrified wood bowl.
Black and taupe in color.
Organic free form shape.
Category
Indonesian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Petrified Wood
Pair of Small Korean Celadon Inlay Vases Goryeo Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is a near pair antique Korean ceramic vase from the end of Goryeo to the beginning of Joseon period (circa 14-15th). The vases feature cel...
Category
Korean Archaistic Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Naturally-Formed Mineral Specimen Peach Stilbite on Apophyllite Sculpture
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Naturally-Formed Mineral: Peach Stilbite on Apophyllite sculpture
A mineral specimen in the form of an abstract walking figure. Mounted on a custom t...
Category
Indian Other Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
Pair of Han Dynasty Pottery Horses and Equestrian Riders
Located in Dallas, TX
A wonderful pair of Ex Sotheby’s painted Polychrome Equestrian Horse and Riders made from gray pottery, Presents beautifully and guaranteed authentic with provenance and COA.
Measures: Height 11.5 inches and width 11 inches
Condition: Possible professional restorations but not detectable.
Provenance: Sotheby’s London. 16th November, 1999. Lot 12 (2 of 4 horses in that lot).
Sotheby’s New York, NY September 14, 2019.
The importance of the horse in the history and culture of China can be viewed, in part, through the artistic legacy of this great civilization. In sculpture, painting, and literature, horses were glorified and revered. Horses were believed to be related to mythological dragons, reflecting their sacred status within society. During the unification of China under the Han Dynasty, bands of mounted nomadic warriors from the north threatened the country. In order to thwart their attacks, the Chinese sought to import stronger, faster steeds from Central Asia (as opposed to the Mongol ponies used by the invaders), eventually leading to the creation of the Silk Road. This small sculpture of a mounted soldier reveals the crucial military role of the horse. When compared to the diminutive stature of the rider, the importance of the horse becomes readily apparent. This creature provided security and strength, allowing the Empire to secure its borders and expand its influences across Central Asia. The magnificent regalia of the horse, including a brilliantly painted saddle in red and green/gold, reflect the respect this animal received. The warrior as well is gorgeously decorated with a painted red tunic and gray chest...
Category
Chinese Chinoiserie Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
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