New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2006.

Horse and Rider

Artist Unknown

CulturePersian

Date1200-1300

MediumCeramic

DimensionsOverall: 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm)

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.567

Collections

Asian Art

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 107

DescriptionBuff pottery figurine of a modelled horse and rider. Horse has cylindrical legs standing on flat rectangular slab. Head is relatively small, coil reins held by rider's left hand. Rider's legs undifferentiated. Right arm holding up a scepter-like object at waist. Wears a round shield at back, pointed headdress (seen from side) which opens at top of head into hollow body. Small animal (cougar?) rides on rump of horse. Glazed turquoise all over with underglaze black detailing of facial features, horse's trappings, and clothing. Kashan. Broken into many pieces and repaired with some overpainting and possibly varnishing of head area. Yellowish discoloration of turquoise glaze in several places.

Label TextHorse and Rider Persian, 1200–1300 C.E. Ceramic Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.567 Domesticated in Asia over 5,000 years ago, horses first were used in warfare, but quickly became symbols of the aristocracy. Known for their accomplished cavalry, ancient Persians developed the game of polo as a way to train horses and riders for complex military maneuvers. Throughout the Central Asian steppe, nomadic tribesmen often buried horses in their tombs for use in the afterlife. Mongol, Chinese, and Indian rulers commissioned equestrian art as a display of their wealth and political authority.