China
Equestrienne (tomb figure)
Tang dynasty, first half 8th century
Buff earthenware with traces of polychromy
56.2 x 48.2 cm
Gift of Mrs. Pauline Palmer Wood, 1970.1073

This lively clay tomb figure shows a Chinese woman of the eighth century riding a horse, a favorite pastime of Chinese aristocrats of the Tang dynasty. The rider is guiding her horse into a turn, her hands gripping reins which probably were of rope and have been lost. Her hair is fashionably styled with an oversized bun over her forehead.