HORSE WITH A SHORT MANE

Description This large statue has many features typical of late Eastern Han depictions of horses. It stands in a rigid posture on all fours, it has clearly highlighted joints, a pot-bellied body and a rather elongated chest. The tail is straight, with its end knotted into sphere with two opposed protruberances. The head is vigorously carved, with the mouth open, the lips raised to highlight the teeth and the tongue hanging to the left. The mane, in the Han style, starts with a tuft between the pointed ears and is otherwise cut short. The horse's only harnesses consist of the crownpiece, with the straps connected by six round studs printed in relief with a barely legible pattern. The glazing completely covers the statue up to the fetlocks, as if to demarcate the leaping patches of the cloak.