Ca. AD 618-907
A naturalistic representation of a Chinese Tang Dynasty bull in a standing pose. This beautiful figure has its neck bent and head angled downwards, with a curved belly with a hole and tail that wraps itself around the back end. Traces of red pigment remain on the hooves, underside, and mouth, with more vivid red pigment on the eyes and ear details. Traces of white pigment remain for the horns and eyes, detailed with a black dot. The outsides of the legs are incised, likely to suggest musculature.
This piece has been precisely dated by means of a Thermo Luminescence analysis carried out by Ralf Kotalla, an independent German Laboratory. The samples collected date the piece to the period reflected in its style, whilst also showing no modern trace elements. The TL certificate with its full report will accompany this piece.
Provenance: East Anglian private collection; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.
CHINESE TANG DYNASTY TERRACOTTA BULL - TL TESTED
Dimensions
L: 455mm / W: 140mm ; 4kg