Horse, 600s–700s. Tang dynasty (618–907), China.
Glazed earthenware; 20 x 7 1/2 x 21 in. 
Denver Art Museum: Bequest of Bernadette Berger, 2017.43

overall height: 20 in, 50.8000 cm; overall width: 21 in, 53.3400 cm; overall depth: 7 1/2 in, 19.0500 cm

Arts of Asia

Arts of Asia

This object is currently on view

Bridled and Saddled Horse
600s–700s, Tang dynasty (618–907)
China
Earthenware
Bequest of Bernadette Berger
2017.43

With its orange-glazed body, the accenting detail of a bright green bridle, and its cream-colored patches, mane, and tail, this robust horse displays the three-color (sancai) glaze combination associated with classic Tang dynasty sculpture. With increasing connections between China and Persia and West Asia in the early Tang dynasty, a sizable number of tall, powerful horses were brought to China. They were greatly admired by the Tang court and the aristocracy, and ceramic horses from this period were modeled on these imported horses.

(Sotheby’s), New York, 3/19/97, Sale no. 5953, lot 193; Purchased by Bernadette Berger [1940-2015], Denver, CO, 1997 [1]; Bequeathed to the Denver Art Museum, 2017 [1] on loan to the Denver Art Museum starting April 1997

• Linking Asia, Denver Art Museum, 12/17/2017 – 4/1/2018
• Permanent collection galleries, Denver Art Museum, 10/2021 – present