Pair of Ancient Stone Carved Recumbent Horse Ornaments, Sui‑Tang Dynasty, 6th‑9th Century A.D.

拍品描述

Dimensions：Single piece total height 16cm (6.30 in), base length 14cm (5.51 in), 6th‑9th Century A.D.Condition & Provenance：The pair of stone carvings remain fully intact, no breaks, major chips or restoration. The stone surface carries natural aged burial patina and weathering, carving details softened by centuries of wear. The undersides of bases display faint scratches from long‑term placement, no modern grinding or artificial chemical aging treatment. Provenance: Former private collection of an ancient stone sculpture collector based in Washington, USA. Acquired at Toronto Asian Antique Art Fair in 2014, passed down within one family for over thirty years. The pair was only exhibited at private themed shows of medieval Chinese stone art and has never been offered at public auctions.Description：This matched pair of bluestone recumbent horse sculptures dates back to China’s Sui and Tang dynasties, iconic decorative stoneworks of medieval China. Surviving as an intact matching pair is extremely rare in today’s antique market. Each horse kneels in a relaxed resting pose with full, plump proportions that embody the bold, grand aesthetic of Tang art. The horse head turns gently sideways with minimal, primitive facial carving; mane is sculpted as continuous raised ridges with clear layering. A saddle harness wraps around each torso, decorated with dangling spherical ornaments rendered in simplified, unornate carving that delivers a rugged, primitive artistic charm. Each horse is carved integrally with a rectangular stone plinth with neatly trimmed edges. The rough unpolished undersides retain original chisel marks, covered all over by authentic natural weathering. Horses held immense cultural significance during Sui and Tang rule, and stone horse carvings were widely used as study and hall display ornaments. Matched pairs rarely survived intact through millennia of circulation. This duo boasts genuine natural stone weathering, distinct period stylistic features, and holds archaeological, display and collectible value, widely sought after by collectors of medieval stone art from Washington, Pennsylvania and Vancouver.

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