Description
Yuan or Ming dynasty pottery horse and rider wall tile Northern china, circa 1368-1644 CE
Decorative terracotta roof and wall tiles remain to this day a central part of Chinese spiritual life, and this rare example is a wonderful illustration of this incredible art form. Dating to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.), the sancai pottery figurine is crafted in the form of a spiritual man riding atop a beautifully rendered horse. Standing as sentinel over both private households and temples, terracotta figures such as this one were thought to ward off evil spirits and bring luck and prosperity to a building’s occupants.