Tang Dynasty, 618-907 A.D. Modelled in the round standing on a rectangular base, the animal's head bowed down and turned slightly left, shown with a long and immaculately-kept mane, short dressed tail, saddle cloth decorated with an 'animal skin' pattern and a harness adorned with pendants; the male rider seated in the saddle wearing a knee-length robe and riding boots, his arms positioned to hold reins (absent), a domestic dog perched on a covering behind him; semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing to both figures, the rider shown with a full beard and moustache, wearing a cap. Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 991.253.7a, b, for a broadly comparable figure. 3.9 kg, 42 cm high (16 1/2 in.).

Acquired 1980s-1990s. Ex West Country collection. Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no. C122f84 from Oxford Authentication. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11702-199228.

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