The Beauty and Significance of the Tang Horses

Bronze Chinese Tang Horse in Verdi Finish

Tang horses continue to find a high value among many antique collectors looking to gather horse figurines from the tombs dating to the Tang dynasty (AD 618 – 907). The dynasty was also known to bring peace and prosperity with traders venturing to the far west. It is said that these traders, upon returning, would bring western fashions which were embraced by the wealthy Chinese and members of the nobility. Art flourished during this time because of the peace and prosperity, and sculptures of Tang horses acquired attractive symbolic meaning and designs.

Small Bronze Tang Horse

In ancient China, the horse was used by the nobles and high ranking families as a sign of leadership and prosperity. Horses in China were also used in military warfare and military expansion efforts. As such, the importance of horses as a symbol of peace and prosperity was given a great deal of emphasis in Chinese artistic achievements. Notably, the horse was second in importance to the Chinese dragon. It was supposed to possess magical powers which the early Chinese were eager to explore. For instance, many believed that the horse would carry the dead to the next life. Some also believed that the number of horses

one owned in his lifetime would provide the assurance that the dead would continue to maintain the same status in the next life.

One cannot but help admire the beauty of the Tang horses noting their graceful and arched necks, heavy torsos and pricked ears. In fact, Tang horses are widely popularized in Chinese art. For those who are interested in having Tang horses as part of their collection, our bronze sculptures of Tang horses will surely remind any collector of the way the Chinese treated their horses – with plenty of love and lots of inspiration!