Taerpo Horserider | |
---|---|
Material | Terracotta |
Size | 23 cm tall [1] |
Created | 4th–3rd century BCE |
Discovered | Taerpo cemetery, near Xianyang 34°21′41″N 108°44′36″E / 34.361309°N 108.743223°E [2] |
Present location | Xianyang Museum |
The Taerpo Horserider is a terracotta figurine dated to the 4th-3rd century BCE from a Qin tomb in the Taerpo cemetery (塔兒坡墓), near Xianyang in Shaanxi. Another nearly-identical statuette is known, from the same tomb. Small holes in his hands suggest that he was originally holding reins in one hand, and a weapon in the other. [1]
This is the earliest known representation of a cavalryman in China. [1] Very few such figurines are known from this time, prior to the 210 BCE Terracotta Army. [3] The outfit is of Central Asian style, probably Saka, [4] and the rider with his large nose appears to be a foreigner. [1] King Zheng of Qin (246–221 BCE) is also known to have employed steppe cavalry men in his army, as seen in the Terracotta Army. [5]
Only red and white are used as colors, as most terracotta statuettes known from the Qin state period. According to Duan Qingbo, there is a possibility that these miniature human and horse shapes were inspired by Scytho-Siberian art, as seen in objects such as the figurines of the Saka incense burners. [6]
Taerpo Horserider | |
---|---|
Material | Terracotta |
Size | 23 cm tall [1] |
Created | 4th–3rd century BCE |
Discovered | Taerpo cemetery, near Xianyang 34°21′41″N 108°44′36″E / 34.361309°N 108.743223°E [2] |
Present location | Xianyang Museum |
The Taerpo Horserider is a terracotta figurine dated to the 4th-3rd century BCE from a Qin tomb in the Taerpo cemetery (塔兒坡墓), near Xianyang in Shaanxi. Another nearly-identical statuette is known, from the same tomb. Small holes in his hands suggest that he was originally holding reins in one hand, and a weapon in the other. [1]
This is the earliest known representation of a cavalryman in China. [1] Very few such figurines are known from this time, prior to the 210 BCE Terracotta Army. [3] The outfit is of Central Asian style, probably Saka, [4] and the rider with his large nose appears to be a foreigner. [1] King Zheng of Qin (246–221 BCE) is also known to have employed steppe cavalry men in his army, as seen in the Terracotta Army. [5]
Only red and white are used as colors, as most terracotta statuettes known from the Qin state period. According to Duan Qingbo, there is a possibility that these miniature human and horse shapes were inspired by Scytho-Siberian art, as seen in objects such as the figurines of the Saka incense burners. [6]