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On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Head of a horse

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

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
Images Online
Sculpture
Hardstone
Object type
Figurine
TitleHead of a horse
Materials and techniques
Nephrite jade, carved
Jade
Carving
Brief description
Figurine, 'Head of a horse' carved nephrite jade, China, Han Dynasty (206 BC- 220 AD)
Physical description
Figurine of nephrite jade carved in the form of the 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
Han
Gallery label
(2007)
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
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
Horse
獸首
馬
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.
  • Kerr, Rose (ed.), Chinese Art and Design: the T.T. Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1991. 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
East Asia Collection
Accession number
A.16-1935

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O14525/head-of-a-horse-figurine-unknown/
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