“The Marquette on show here is a study for both of the large bronzes by John W. Mills, both of which are over nine feet high, and they are all based on my studies of Chinese Tang terracotta horses in the British Museum and other collections in France and the USA. I like the constant Reference to sculpture and sculptural solutions to observed facts embodied in the Tang horse. They are anatomically correct without being mere copies of actual beasts. In this respect, they are similar to the famous four horses of St Mark in Venice, which are Greek or Roman. It is believed that they could be the horse that pulled the Quadriga of the Delphi Charioteer. My admiration for this kind of informed sculpture prompts me to use them as an influence. As with the real animal, it is not a question of merely copying but making a sculpture that shows where you have been and what you have seen. I have made two versions of this subject CHINESE DYNAMIC and CHINESE REFERENCE. Dynamic is in the Harlow collection in Essex, and Reference is in a private collection in Oxfordshire”.
History of Equestrian Art
Bronze, wood and terracotta were all used. ‘Around the Qin dynasty [221 to 206 BC], bronze was needed for weaponry, so they started using more terracotta.’ The types of terracotta, which include red, grey (black) or white, can be traced to specific regions and dynasties.
The most sought-after are from the Tang dynasty (618 to 907 AD). ‘They are more important because they reached a high level of culture and art. Horses of the Han dynasty [206 BC to AD220] are the next most popular.’ Tang horses are rarer, he says, because they made fewer. ‘A Han emperor would have about 500 horses, while in the Tang dynasty, tombs would have as few as two.’
Tang horses are known for their sculptural grace and elegance. ‘The head, trunk and legs of each horse were moulded separately, then joined before the painting of details such as the mane and trappings, which accounts for slight discrepancies in pose and surface decoration,’ Choi says.
During this period, red and brown pigments over a high-fired buff pottery body accentuated details such as knotted saddlecloths, bells, medallions, manes and forelocks. The era is also famous for its Sancai polychrome pottery, referring to three colours: green, yellow and brown.
A dizzying number of classifications and categories are associated with each dynasty and geography. Poise and alertness are also admired. Choi says the standard positions include prancing, dancing (only for the emperor’s birthday), and working. ‘Open mouths fetch higher prices than closed mouths. Generally, the rarer the pose, such as a horse drinking water, the more valuable.’
We welcome an enquiry about John W. Mills investment collection or for all private or corporate commissions. Book an appointment to discuss your inquiry in more detail, or call us. Direct contact Sunil Vilas, ICAS Vilas Art Gallery
8,10 leys Avenue Letchworth Garden City SG6 3EUPhone: 01462677455
Email: info@vilasart.co.uk
ICAS Vilas Art Gallery
Email: info@vilasart.co.uk
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My Sculptures have allowed me to meet members of The Royal Family, which has always been an exciting and enjoyable experience.