Tomb Figurine of an Equestrian Hunter

One aspect of elite life in the Tang Dynasty (618–906 CE) that was often immortalized in tomb figurines is entertainment, and horse-riding activities like hunting and a form of polo were popular forms of recreation for elite men and women. Bows and spears were typical hunting weapons, but trained dogs, hawks, and cheetahs were also employed. Instead of a hunting partner, this rider carries a masked palm civet (Paguma larvata)—probably a rare pet. He wears a fānlǐngpáo 翻领袍, a knee-length robe with overturned lapels, a widely popular style introduced from Central Asia.

Tomb sculptures of this type were made from molded sections, attached with clay slip and dried, after which glaze was applied. The colorful glaze on this piece, known as the “three color” (sāncǎi 三彩) glaze, is particularly associated with the Tang period, and the high point of production occurred from the late 7th to mid-8th centuries. Adding lead oxide to the glaze allowed firing at the relatively low temperature of ca. 1500° F. Iron created the yellowish color of the horse, and copper the green sections. Some areas, like the figure’s head, were left unglazed to allow more naturalistic colors to be painted on after firing.