Description:

A Large and Fine Sancai-Glazed Pottery Model of a Horse, Tang Dynasty (618-907)
唐 三彩陶马

Standing foursquare on a rectangular base, the head harnessed and slightly turned to the left, with crisply moulded floret trappings and chest applied with suspended heart-shaped leaf medallions picked out in straw and bright green glazes, the neck, body, and legs covered with amber glaze, the saddle left unglazed
20 x 18.5 in — 50.7 x 47 cm

Estimate: $8,000—10,000 CAD

  • Provenance: C.C. Lai Antiques, Toronto, ON
    来源:
    C.C. Lai Antiques, 多伦多
  • Dimensions: 20 x 18.5 in — 50.7 x 47 cm
  • Notes: The sancai, or ‘three-colour’ glaze, was developed in the seventh century, when Tang dynasty potters began experimenting with lively tones of green, amber, and yellow. These tri-coloured glazes were applied to finely modelled horses, highlighting their musculature, trappings, and dynamic forms, and producing figures of remarkable vitality and realism. Tang sancai horses were made for the tombs of elite individuals, reflecting both the status of the occupant and the enduring cultural and practical significance of the horse in ancient China.

    Beyond their association with warfare, Tang sancai horses also played a role in the court’s leisurely pursuits, most notably polo, a sport promoted by emperors for its cultivation of martial skill. Many of these figures represent the celebrated Ferghana steeds, introduced from Central Asia and renowned for their speed, strength, and endurance, qualities that made them prized both on the battlefield and in sporting contexts. Tang potters captured these very qualities through the careful combination of tri-coloured glazes and meticulous modelling, producing figures that convey both the elegance and power of the animal while balancing realism and decorative refinement.

    Compare with examples sold at Bonhams London, May 11, 2021, lot 67, price realised 27,750 GBP; Bonhams New York, July 21, 2020, lot 140, price realised 10,700 USD (14,700 CAD); and Christie's London, November 7, 2017, lot 3, price realised 10,000 GBP (18,800 CAD)
    https://www.bonhams.com/auction/26397/lot/67/a-fine-sancai-glazed-pottery-model-of-a-horse-tang-dynasty/
    https://www.bonhams.com/auction/26127/lot/140/a-sancai-glazed-pottery-horse-tang-dynasty/
    https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6105909

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April 16, 2026 2:00 PM EDT
Toronto, ON, CA

Waddington's

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $25,000:
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$25,001+:
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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
CA$0 CA$199 CA$10
CA$200 CA$499 CA$20
CA$500 CA$999 CA$50
CA$1,000 CA$1,999 CA$100
CA$2,000 CA$4,999 CA$200
CA$5,000 CA$9,999 CA$500
CA$10,000 CA$19,999 CA$1,000
CA$20,000 CA$49,999 CA$2,000
CA$50,000 CA$99,999 CA$5,000
CA$100,000 CA$299,999 CA$10,000
CA$300,000 CA$999,999 CA$25,000
CA$1,000,000 CA$1,999,999 CA$50,000
CA$2,000,000 CA$2,999,999 CA$100,000
CA$3,000,000 CA$4,999,999 CA$200,000
CA$5,000,000 + CA$300,000