1 / 7

Description

Figure of a female polo player. China, Tang dynasty, circa AD 618-906. Terracotta. In good condition. Provenance: Acquired from F. Gallery, Spain, Madrid, 2022. Attached thermoluminescence test (TL). Measurements: 28 x 34 cm. Sculpture made in terracotta and decorated with engobes. It represents a polo player on horseback, galloping, with the captured animal in the middle of the jump. The human figure is dressed in loose-fitting red clothes with long sleeves; her hair is carefully combed, her hands are raised and her cheeks and lips are highlighted. The player shows the movement and tension of the moment, and turns her torso to face the viewer. In the Tang dynasty, polo was a sport played mainly by the aristocracy and especially by women, despite its roughness. The Tang dynasty is considered by historians to be a period of splendour in Chinese civilisation, equal or even superior to the Han period. Emerging from a period of despotism under the cruel Yang Di, it was established by Li Shimin who, out of filial piety, put his father on the throne before assuming the role of emperor himself and founding the Tang dynasty. Stimulated by contact with India and the Middle East via the Silk Road, the Tang empire experienced a creative boom in many fields. Buddhism, which had emerged in India at the time of Confucius, continued to flourish during this period and was adopted by the imperial family, becoming an essential part of traditional Chinese culture. The development of the printing press also extended the dissemination of written works, giving rise to the golden age of Chinese art and literature. The great cultural opening will result in a fundamentally colourful, expressive and very eclectic art, although it is still mainly for funerary use, where the artist remains an anonymous craftsman. However, from this time onwards, high-fired ceramics, decorated with enamels, would come to be used as a status symbol, with typologies such as vessels for the table of the litterateur and all types of tableware. Terracotta, on the other hand, continued to be used for grave goods, although stoneware would also be used from now on, especially for the tombs of nobles and scholars. In funerary pieces, the group to which this amazon belongs, an important new feature is introduced: three-coloured lead glazes (sancai), although pieces decorated with engobes continue to be made. Among the grave goods, there are six typological groups, each with a great variety: tomb guardians, with warriors and protective beasts; ceremonial figures with their servants; animals of all kinds, such as oxen, camels and horses; musicians and court ladies; utensils and vessels; and finally, architectural models. Three periods can also be distinguished. The first period, between 581 and 683, is dominated by figures decorated with engobes, even without glazes. The second period, between 683 and 779, was the great Sancai period, with a predominance of enamels. Finally, until the beginning of the 10th century, pieces with Sancai enamels continued to be made, albeit of lower quality than those of the previous period.

31 
Go to lot
<
>

Figure of a female polo player. China, Tang dynasty, circa AD 618-906. Terracotta. In good condition. Provenance: Acquired from F. Gallery, Spain, Madrid, 2022. Attached thermoluminescence test (TL). Measurements: 28 x 34 cm. Sculpture made in terracotta and decorated with engobes. It represents a polo player on horseback, galloping, with the captured animal in the middle of the jump. The human figure is dressed in loose-fitting red clothes with long sleeves; her hair is carefully combed, her hands are raised and her cheeks and lips are highlighted. The player shows the movement and tension of the moment, and turns her torso to face the viewer. In the Tang dynasty, polo was a sport played mainly by the aristocracy and especially by women, despite its roughness. The Tang dynasty is considered by historians to be a period of splendour in Chinese civilisation, equal or even superior to the Han period. Emerging from a period of despotism under the cruel Yang Di, it was established by Li Shimin who, out of filial piety, put his father on the throne before assuming the role of emperor himself and founding the Tang dynasty. Stimulated by contact with India and the Middle East via the Silk Road, the Tang empire experienced a creative boom in many fields. Buddhism, which had emerged in India at the time of Confucius, continued to flourish during this period and was adopted by the imperial family, becoming an essential part of traditional Chinese culture. The development of the printing press also extended the dissemination of written works, giving rise to the golden age of Chinese art and literature. The great cultural opening will result in a fundamentally colourful, expressive and very eclectic art, although it is still mainly for funerary use, where the artist remains an anonymous craftsman. However, from this time onwards, high-fired ceramics, decorated with enamels, would come to be used as a status symbol, with typologies such as vessels for the table of the litterateur and all types of tableware. Terracotta, on the other hand, continued to be used for grave goods, although stoneware would also be used from now on, especially for the tombs of nobles and scholars. In funerary pieces, the group to which this amazon belongs, an important new feature is introduced: three-coloured lead glazes (sancai), although pieces decorated with engobes continue to be made. Among the grave goods, there are six typological groups, each with a great variety: tomb guardians, with warriors and protective beasts; ceremonial figures with their servants; animals of all kinds, such as oxen, camels and horses; musicians and court ladies; utensils and vessels; and finally, architectural models. Three periods can also be distinguished. The first period, between 581 and 683, is dominated by figures decorated with engobes, even without glazes. The second period, between 683 and 779, was the great Sancai period, with a predominance of enamels. Finally, until the beginning of the 10th century, pieces with Sancai enamels continued to be made, albeit of lower quality than those of the previous period.

Estimate 3 500 - 4 000 EUR
Starting price 2 200 EUR

* Not including buyer’s premium.
Please read the conditions of sale for more information.

Sale fees: 24 %
Leave bid
Register

For sale on Thursday 18 Jul : 15:45 (CEST)
, pays.null
Setdart.com
+34932463241
Browse the catalogue Sales terms Sale info

Delivery to
Change delivery address
Delivery is not mandatory.
You may use the carrier of your choice.
The indicated price does not include the price of the lot or the auction house's fees.