Figurine

Painted pottery horse richly caparisoned. The saddle cloth is painted to represent brocade borders. This horse would have been placed in tombs with other objects that were important to take into the afterlife. The Bactrian horse, depicted here, with slender legs and a massive body, was imported from the greater Iran area. Replacing the small and stocky Mongolian breeds, the Bactrian became the favorite among royalty. There were likely harnesses and riding gear in the figures' original state, along with real horsehair for the mane and tail. The piece is made of fine white clay which has not been glazed. It was painted in unfired pigments.