Tang Dynasty Horse

By NikNox, 25 November, 2008
Description

This horse was given to my mother in law 40 years ago by a Martial Arts expert living partly in the UK and partly in China. He was extremely wealthy and had been given the horse by a notable Chinese man (we have been told it was an Emperor) for tutoring his son in Martial Arts. He gave it to my mother in law, who had been a friend of his since childhood, because she supported his wife through a very difficult time. My mother in law was told it was 'priceless' and she gave it to my husband some 20 years ago because he liked it.  The man who gave it to her has since died.  Sadly my mother in law broke off the tail, which she glued back on.

Around the horses body and neck are little frogs.  The glaze has a crackled appearance.

We are wondering if it is an original Tang Dynasty Horse or a replica, but if it is a replica, how valuable it is. 

 

Category
Pottery
Medium
? Pottery
Distinguishing marks
The number '18' on the bottom
Condition
Good
Size and dimensions of this item
About 25cm high, 40cm in length
Date Period
unsure, but at least 40 years old
History
This horse was given to my mother in law 40 years ago by a Martial Arts expert living partly in the UK and partly in China. He was extremely wealthy and had been given the horse by a notable Chinese man (we have been told it was an Emperor) for tutoring his son in Martial Arts. He gave it to my mother in law, who had been a friend of his since childhood, because she supported his wife through a very difficult time. My mother in law was told it was 'priceless' and she gave it to my husband some 20 years ago because he liked it. The man who gave it to her has since died.
eBay Auction Link
Price Paid (If known)
none
For Sale?
No
Photos

wallyh

16 years ago

The Tang Dynasty was over 1000 years ago. Your horse is surely a replica with a value under $100 in mint condition. With broken tail I'd say somewhat less.

A new one very similar to yours can be found here.

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HU6JPS?smid=A3EB78N3X67MI7&tag=dealt48722-20&linkCode=asn
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NikNox

16 years ago

I have found similar on the internet which are brand new, but have also found similar authentic Tang Horses which are over 1000 years old and in excellent condition, so I see your point.  I was surprised to see these 1000 plus year old horses in such good condition, which makes me wonder if ours is as old as that.
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kathyBeh

16 years ago

One must question why they have the #18 or 81 when they did not use arabic numerals in China in 618 -907.

 

here is a site that deals with Asian art. You can post pics and ask questions.

http://www.asianart.com/phpforum/index.php
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wallyh

16 years ago

and not to ruin your story but the last emperor of China had no children. He did have a nephew but he studied Kung fu, taichi with Shaolin monks in mountains of east china.
No votes yet

You are not ruining my story at all. I only know what my husband knows, and he only knows what his mother told him.  He does know for certain that the man who gave her the horse was indeed a martial arts expert, very wealthy, and lived partly in the UK and partly in China.  He was a friend of my mother in law's from school too, so they knew each other a long time.  However, she is known for her gullible nature, so he could have told her anything! That's why we're intrigued and want to find out as much as we can.
No votes yet

NikNox

16 years ago

Thanks for that, I have posted a message on there. 
No votes yet