Tang Dynasty, 618-907 AD. A very large ceramic horse in an advancing pose with elongated slender legs, the horses mculature well-defined, erect head turned slightly to the right, expressive and alert facial features with open mouth, the forelock divided into two and swept to the sides, the tail bound and secured with a ribbon; a separately modelled saddle with saddle blanket. Cf. Greer, J.P., The armies and enemies of the ancient China, 1027BC-1286 AD, Los Angeles, 1975; Ranitzsch, K.H., The army of Tang China, Stockport, 1995; Congyun, L., Yang, Y., Ghan, Z., Imperial Tombs of China, Orlando, 1995; Perry, C., Imperial Chinese Armies (2), 590-1260 AD, London, 1996. 12.1 kg, 67.5cm (26 1/2"). Hong Kong gallery, 1990s. West Country, UK, collection. Apanied by a positive Kotalla Laboratory thermoluminescence report no.41CM180321. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is apanied by AIAD certificate number no.10860-178524. These powerful horses apanied the emperor and his warriors in battle, like the mystic 'Autumn Mist', one of the Tang Tsai-Tsung's six favourite chargers. The element of fire, Feng Shui, was a symbol strongly associated with the horses. The artist was not only concerned with the artistic possibilities offered by the animal, but also with the faithful representation of the details.