Oud-Chinees, Ming-dynastie Terracotta Sancai-tegel – 37 cm

Chinese Sancai-Glazed Roof Tile with Equestrian Figure – Ming Dynasty, 14th to 17th Century ADAn impressive architectural roof tile surmounted by a finely modelled equestrian figure, produced in moulded earthenware and finished with vibrant sancai-style lead glazes in rich green, amber and dark brown tones. The composition depicts a dignified court official or noble rider mounted upon a spirited horse standing atop a semi-cylindrical roof tile, its base enriched with stylised cloud scrolls. The rider wears flowing ceremonial robes and an elaborate headdress, while the horse is rendered with expressive facial features, raised foreleg and carefully modelled tack, reflecting the lively sculptural tradition of late imperial Chinese architectural ornament.Such figural roof ornaments decorated the ridgelines and eaves of temples, shrines, palaces and high-ranking official buildings, where they combined decorative splendour with symbolic and apotropaic functions. During the Ming Dynasty, glazed architectural ceramics reached an exceptional level of technical and artistic refinement, continuing traditions established during earlier dynasties while developing a more robust sculptural style. The distinctive sancai palette of green, amber and brown glazes was widely employed on architectural ceramics intended for prestigious buildings, making pieces such as this highly representative of Ming architectural art.The underside displays the characteristic hollow... lees verder bij Catawiki