A PAIR OF PAINTED POTTERY FIGURES OF HORSES AND RIDERS SUI / EARLY TANG DYNASTY

each horse standing foursquare on a rectangular base, one with head held high and slightly turned, the other with the head somewhat lowered, the well-modeled bodies with carefully incised details, one with the mane docked, the other with a long mane falling to one side, both with tails bound, each animal supporting a male rider astride a saddle, dressed in wide-legged pants, layered robes and a close-fitted hood, the hands raised as if to tug on reins, traces of white slip and red pigment (2)

Collection of Ludwig F.M. Schulze and Ruth Baylies Schulze (1907-1986), New York, New York.

Both horses with expected restoration to extremities: legs, tails and ears.One rider with two hands replaced the other with a single hand replaced.e hand replaced and both with feet restuck; one foot is loose.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Equestrian figures of this form, with the rider depicted wearing similar hoods and with arms held out as if to pull the reins, were probably part of a hunting group. Figures of this type were popular during the Tang dynasty and were an essential part of all tomb retinues. See a related pair of equestrian figures, from the collection of J. Ritchie, London, illustrated in Mario Prodan, The Art of the T'ang Potter, London, 1960, pl. 31; and two glazed examples wearing similar helmets published in Luoyang Tang sancai, Beijing, 1980, pls. 30-31.

The result of Laboratory Ralf Kotalla, Haigerloch, Germany, thermoluminescence test nos. DE 0804111 and DE 0804112 are consistent with the dating of this lot.