Head of a horse thumbnail 1
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
China, Room 44, The T.T. Tsui Gallery

Head of a horse

Figurine
206 BC- 220 AD (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Daoist faithfuls believed jade could preserve the body of the deceased. This jade horse was intended to carry the tomb-occupant into the heavens.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleHead of a horse
Materials and techniques
Nephrite jade, carved
Brief description
Head and the Partial Torso of a Horse, Nephrite jade, China, Han Dynasty, 206 BC- 220 AD
Physical description
Head, shoulers and the partial torso of a horse, grey-green with flocculent markings. Appears to have originally formed part of a whole jade horse formed of sections dowelled together.
Dimensions
  • Height: 14cm
  • Width: 17.2cm
  • Depth: 6.5cm
Style
Gallery label
Head of horse Han dynasty 206 BC-220 AD Daoist faithfuls believed jade could preserve the body of the deceased. This jade horse was intended to carry the tomb-occupant into the heavens. Carved nephrite jade Museum no. A.16-1935(2007)
Credit line
Purchased with Art Fund support, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee
Production
Mr Ayres opinion, Ceramics: Han, or somewhat later. The purpose for which the carving was made is not unclear, nor whether it was formerly part of a complete horse of the same material. During the Han and the succeeding Six Dynasties' periods, however, many pottery models of horses and of horses' heads were made for inclusion in the furniture of tombs, together with those of other animals and of humans. This head is evidently a rare example of such work a more precious material.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Daoist faithfuls believed jade could preserve the body of the deceased. This jade horse was intended to carry the tomb-occupant into the heavens.
Bibliographic references
  • Davis, Frank. Chinese Jade, 1935, pl. 5.
  • Nott, Stanley Charles, Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, London, 1936, pl. LVI.2.
  • Baker, Malcolm, and Brenda Richardson (eds.), A Grand Design: The Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London: V&A Publications, 1999.
  • Rose Kerr (ed), TT Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art and Design, V&A, 1991, photo p. 45.
  • Rawson, Jessica and Ayers, John. Chinese Jade throughout the Ages, London : Oriental Ceramics Society, 1975 no.197
  • Catalogue of the International Exhibition of Chinese Art, 1935-6, London : Royal Academy of Arts, 1935 553
Collection
Accession number
A.16-1935

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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