Pair of sculptural tiles; China, Qing dynasty, 19th century.

Pair of sculptural tiles; China, Qing dynasty, 19th century.
Glazed terracotta.
Attached thermoluminescence.
They present restorations.
Inscription on the back.
Measurements: 56 x 53 x 14 cm; 54 x 51 x 14 cm.
Pair of sculptural tiles, belonging to the Qing dynasty and dating from the nineteenth century, an example of the decorative architectural art in glazed terracotta of imperial China. The pieces depict riders on horses in a dynamic attitude, with arms raised and bodies leaning forward, suggesting an upward movement or a scene of celebration. The horses, captured in an instant gallop with legs outstretched, evoke a sense of energy and vitality that characterizes equestrian depictions of the period. The figures sit on curved bases, indicating that they were originally part of the upper structure of a building, possibly at the eaves or ridge, where the sculptures not only served an ornamental, but also a symbolic and protective function.
The use of glazed terracotta, with a predominance of greens, yellows and blacks, is characteristic of the chromatic repertoire of Qing architectural ceramics, heir to the Sancai (three-color) tradition of the Tang and Ming dynasties. In stylistic terms, the sculptures show a vigorous and expressive modeling, with a somewhat schematic treatment of the faces and greater detail in the folds of the garments and the harnesses of the horses. The whole reflects the synthesis between narrative dynamism and architectural function, typical of late Qing dynasty decorative art.
The Ching or Qing dynasty, also known as the Manchu Dynasty, was the last of the Chinese imperial dynasties. Founded in the present-day northeast of the country by the Manchu clan in 1644, its rule ended with the abdication of the last Emperor in 1912 by the Xinhai Revolution and the establishment of the Republic of China, maintaining the capital in Beijing throughout this time. In general, traditional art forms flourished in many different and varied levels and formats, thanks to a highly educated upper class, a thriving publishing industry of books, pamphlets, etc., really prosperous cities, and the Confucian emphasis on cultivating the mind. Although the Emperors themselves were, on many occasions, outstanding artists (especially in painting), the best works were carried out by schoolchildren and the urban elite.