Pair of horsemen; China, Han dynasty (206 B.C. - 220 A.D.)

Pair of horsemen; China, Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD).
Polychrome terracotta.
Measurements: 39 x 38 x 14 cm; 40 x 37 x 14 cm.
Pair of sculptures representing in both cases a rider on his horse. The characteristics of the works indicate that it is probably a set destined to a funerary trousseau. Both works made in round bulk in terracotta and decorated with cold applied engobes, show in a hieratic way a male figure on his horse, the clothing of both invites us to think that they are warriors. The pieces have the same design although they differ in the color of the horse.
The Han dynasty ruled China between 206 B.C. and 220 A.D., more than four centuries during which the political, social and economic structures of China were consolidated, leading the country to the most glorious stage of its history. Regarding the art of this time, it is still eminently funerary, although it reflects the very high artistic level that will be reached both in the capitals and in the provinces. These preserved objects provide us with information on the daily life and customs of the time, since the art becomes much more mundane than the bronzes of the Zhou and Shang periods. The structures of the tombs also changed: the Shang tombs were vertical, while the Han tombs were built as subway palaces. They were decorated with reliefs stamped with scenes from the life of the deceased, and a new material was incorporated as an artistic support, lacquer. However, the most famous today is the production of Han ceramics, in terracotta and decorated with cold-applied engobes, mainly black and red.