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

Bactrian camel with rider China, Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) Terracotta with remnants of polychromy Impressive Chinese funerary sculpture representing a two-hump Bactrian camel with a rider, attributed to the Tang Dynasty, one of the periods of greatest cultural and commercial splendor in Chinese history. Approximate measurements: 73 × 56 × 21 cm. The camel is depicted with extraordinary expressive force, with the neck raised, the head projected forward and the mouth open, while the long mane is modeled with marked grooves. On the two humps sits the rider, dressed with a distinctive pointed headdress and accompanied by saddle elements and side panniers. During the Tang era, Bactrian camels played a fundamental role in the caravans that traversed the Silk Road, connecting China with Central Asia and the West. For this reason they became one of the emblematic motifs of Tang funerary art, associated with trade, prosperity, prestige and contact with foreign cultures. The piece preserves an attractive archaeological surface, with traces of ancient pigments, deposits, abrasions and wear inherent to its nature and age, which add great character to the whole. Provenance Chap Ku Tong, Hong Kong. Acquired in 2008. There is an original gallery invoice 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 in line 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 form an integral part of the description. An especially decorative and collectible piece due to its strong sculptural presence, expressive representation of the camel and its connection with 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:£9,213.48

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