This stunning horse, wrought in bronze and
plated in gold, is a thrilling example of Warring-
States era craftsmanship at its finest. The
Mongolian horse, native to China, stands in
proud repose- its sturdy legs firmed into the
ground, its neck arching into its diamond shaped
face. His hind legs, bulging with muscle, are set
far apart, giving him a truly regal bearing. To the
Chinese, the horse was everything. A symbol of
prosperity, a beast of burden, a steed of war, and
a prized show-animal all in one race. The
glorious musculature and expression of this
piece are a testament to Chinese worksmanship
and creativity. Truly the beast immortalized in
this piece was worthy of the cautious hands of its
artist. Looking at it, we almost expect to hear a
metallic clink of hooves, and a rattling whicker
coming from its delicate form. It continues to
charm us with its presence today, a vibrant
example of how the appreciation of the ancients,
and that of our own, can sometimes be so very
similar.
- (MR.010/pf.4502)
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