Chinese Tang-Style Sancai Pottery Horse

Name: Chinese Tang-Style Sancai Pottery Horse
Brand: bruinsma
Availability: LimitedAvailability

Tang-style Chinese pottery horse with neighing head, orange-brown earthen finish, standing on a rectangular base. - view 1

1/3

Estimated value

$150 - $450

Rarity

Ordinary(3/10)

CHINESE TANG-STYLE SANCAI POTTERY HORSE: IDENTIFICATION

Earthenware figure of a caparisoned horse standing on a rectangular plinth, modeled in the classic Tang Dynasty sculptural tradition with a neighing expression and docked tail. The piece exhibits stylized 'cold-painted' or partially glazed surface decoration with traces of cobalt blue and ochre pigments. The modeling includes a draped saddle, floral-medallion trappings (phalerae), and a distinctively cropped mane.

Compare with other ceramic pieces in the archive: Alabaster Urn-Shaped Vase, Han Dynasty Style Glazed Ceramic Boar Figurine, Chinese Blue and White 'Three Friends of Winter' Stem Cup, Ming Style.

PRODUCTION & FIRING

The Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) saw the height of 'mingqi' or burial goods production, where horses symbolized wealth and military power. While original Tang examples utilize low-fired lead glazes, this specific specimen's surface morphology and pigment application suggest a 20th-century homage or reproduction. Christie's and Sotheby's records indicate a significant production of these high-quality replicas during the Republic Period (1912-1949) and notably for the export market in the 1970s and 80s.

SCARCITY

Ordinary40-55%

CommonLegendary

Standard antiques commonly found at estate sales and flea markets. Plentiful supply meets modest demand.

Rarity 3/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 173 ceramics items at rarity 3 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

Moderate production runs
Common at estate sales
Entry-level collectibles

Confidence Factors

Uniformity of surface 'wear' suggests mechanical distressing rather than natural burial degradation
Underbelly ventilation hole shows sharp, modern edges inconsistent with ancient hand-coring
The blue pigment appears to be a cold-painted wash rather than a fired lead glaze typical of 8th-century originals

Expert review recommended. Consider consulting a specialist before making purchasing decisions.

How does authenticity detection work?

CERAMICIST'S ASSESSMENT

Asian Art Specialist

East Asian Art Expert

The identification of the style is certain, but assigning a precise manufacture date between 1920 and 1980 is difficult without physical handling of the clay slip and TL testing.

KEY EVIDENCE

1Modeling follows the 'Fat Horse' aesthetic popularized during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong.
2Base construction is a flat, uniform rectangular plinth typical of mid-century replicas.
3Surface 'encrustation' is localized and lacks the crystalline structure found on genuine excavated low-fired earthenware.

UNCERTAINTIES

•The placement and cleanliness of the firing hole in the belly are indicative of modern mold-production.
•Pigment flaking reveals a very clean, uniform ceramic body underneath.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

→Thermoluminescence (TL) testing to determine the last firing date.
→Examination of the interior clay through the vent hole for signs of modern tool marks.
→Ultraviolet (UV) light check to see if pigments fluoresce, indicating modern synthetic binders.

CONDITION & GRADE

Condition

Intentional surface abrasion present to mimic centuries of burial; no visible structural fractures or modern repairs, though the pigment loss is extensive throughout the flanks.

Weight & feel

Estimated 2.5 to 3.5 kg; likely slip-cast or hollow-molded as evidenced by the ventilation hole in the underbelly.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$150 - $450

Updated: May 10, 2026

Who buys this

Interior decorators and entry-level Asian art collectors looking for the Tang aesthetic without the five-figure price tag of authenticated originals.

What increases value

•Larger scale (height over 12 inches) significantly increases decorative value
•Presence of cobalt blue pigments, which are more desirable than simple ochre/green

What lowers value

•Major structural repairs or replacement of ears/tail which are prone to snapping
•Oversaturation of the market with 1980s-era Chinese export versions

What makes top-tier examples

•Genuine 8th-century examples possess an Oxford TL certificate and provenance from established collections like Eskenazi or J.J. Lally
•Authentic pieces show earthy 'root marks' and dendritic mineral deposits on the surface