Description
A Song dynasty (960-1127) or Jin dynasty (1115–1234) polychrome model of a horse. Although most people tend to associate the Cizhou kilns with black and white wares, these painted red/green overglaze wares were discovered at excavations in the 1920ies. Their bright colors likely drew inspiration from traditional Chinese folk paintings.
These brightly colored figures typically required two or three firings in the kiln, making them extremely challenging to create. Few have survived into present day, making them quite rare. Its been speculated that statues like this pony may possibly been used as either decorative objects or as toys.
An almost identical model of a pony can be found in the collection of the Kaifeng Museum in Taiwan.
Stoneware with slip decoration, Cizhou ware.
Size is 12x4x14 cm