This general type of Chinese burial art
is known
as mingqi. Mingqi were any of a variety
of
objects specifically created for
interment in the
tombs of elite individuals in order to
provide for
the afterlife. Many of these works
reflect
Chinese contact with a variety of
foreigners
including Jewish merchants, Persian
traders, and
various tribes from Central Asia who
were
essential for their supply of fine
steeds. The
great influence of the horse throughout
the
history of China cannot be
underestimated. In
fact, the ancient expansion of the
Chinese
Empire was due in large part to the
horse. The
rapid mobility of horses allowed for
quick
communication between far away
provinces.
Likewise, the military role of horses
aided in the
defense of the borders from nomadic
invaders as
well as the conquest and submission of
distant
lands. The need to import stronger,
faster
steeds from Central Asia (as opposed to
the local
Mongol pony) led to the creation of the
Silk
Road. The importance of the horse in
the history
and culture of China can be viewed, in
part,
through the artistic legacy of this
great
civilization. In sculpture, painting,
and literature,
horses were glorified and revered.
Furthermore,
horses were believed to be relatives of
the
mythological dragon, reflecting their
sacred
status within society. This sculpture
depicts a
foreigner riding horseback; his hat,
nose, and
beard reveal his foreign status. Most
probably,
he was merchant from the Turkish tribes
of
Central Asia working the Silk Road.
Perhaps he
has brought this steed to China in order
to trade
for precious silk. The early dating of
this work is
reflective of the stylization of the
horses head
and legs that were characteristic of the
preceding
Sui Dynasty. Overall, this sculpture is
a
testament to the revered status of the
horse in
Chinese culture, a love that reached new
heights
of expression during the Tang Dynasty.
- (H.689)
|
