35 - Funerary Mingqi with rider, China, Tang Dynasty, 7th–10th century

Funerary Mingqi with rider, China, Tang Dynasty, 7th–10th century Fired terracotta with white slip and traces of polychromy. Measures 44 x 34 cm. Mingqi funerary figure depicting a rider on horseback, rendered with solid modeling and balanced proportions that convey a sense of stability and presence. The rider wears a tunic with ample folds and a close-fitting cap, with an upright torso and flexed arms in a gesture of control over the mount. The horse, with a robust neck and expressive head, has erect ears and firm limbs, emphasizing its dynamic character. The surface retains traces of white slip and vestiges of originally applied polychromy, now largely faded, with a homogeneous patina resulting from the passage of time, as well as wear and small, ancient losses. This type is characteristic of funerary offerings from the Tang Dynasty.