Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Terracotta Camell and rider. With invoice - 73 cm

Bactrian camel with rider China, Tang Dynasty (618–907 A.D.) Terracotta with remains of polychromy Impressive Chinese funerary sculpture representing a Bactrian camel with two humps and a rider, attributed to the Tang Dynasty, one of the cultural and commercial peaks in the history of China. Approximate measurements: 73 × 56 × 21 cm. The camel is depicted with extraordinary expressive force, with the neck raised, the head projecting forward and the mouth open, while the long mane is modeled with marked grooves. On the two humps sits the rider, dressed in a characteristic pointed headdress and accompanied by tack and lateral saddlebags. During the Tang period, Bactrian camels played a fundamental role in the caravans along the Silk Road, linking China with Central Asia and the West. For this reason they became one of the emblematic motifs of Tang funeral art, associated with trade, prosperity, prestige and contact with foreign cultures. The piece retains an attractive archaeological surface, with traces of ancient pigments, deposits, abrasions and wear typical of its nature and age, which gives great character to the whole. Provenance Chap Ku Tong, Hong Kong. Purchased in 2008. The gallery’s original invoice is preserved, where the piece is explicitly described as: “Tang pottery camel with rider”. This documented provenance constitutes a particularly interesting element for its collection history. Condition Condition consistent with the age of an archaeological terracotta piece, with surface wear, losses of polychromy, deposits, small cracks and possible ancient interventions or consolidations. See the detailed photographs, which are an integral part of the description. A particularly decorative and collectible piece due to its strong sculptural presence, expressive representation of the camel and its link to the fascinating Silk Road culture during the Tang Dynasty. Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as, a TL test, C14 test, lapidary tests, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.

Estimate:£9,310.04

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