Model of a horse’s head

Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE)

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 207

This sculpture depicts the head of a Bactrian horse, a breed brought to China from Central Asia that captivated the Han-dynasty emperor and his court. Admired for their strength, stature, and noble bearing, these “heavenly horses” were likened to dragons—mythical creatures believed to soar through the skies and carry riders to the land of the immortals.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

漢陶馬頭
Title: Model of a horse’s head
Period: Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE)
Culture: China
Medium: Earthenware
Dimensions: H. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm); W. 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm); D. 10 in. (25.4 cm)
Classification: Tomb Pottery
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Samuel T. Peters, 1926
Object Number: 26.292.45
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

In the same gallery

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Xun, Pottery, Chinese — Xun
Chinese
206 BCE–220 CE

Bowl with the Arms of Pope Julius II and the Manzoli of Bologna surrounded by putti, cornucopiae, satyrs, dolphins, birds, etc., workshop of Giovanni Maria Vasaro, Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Castel Durante — Bowl with the Arms of Pope Julius II and the Manzoli of Bologna surrounded by putti, cornucopiae, satyrs, dolphins, birds, etc.
workshop of Giovanni Maria Vasaro
1508

Dish in the shape of a leaf, Silver with parcel gilding, China — Dish in the shape of a leaf
China
late 7th–early 8th century

Short Sword (Duan Jian), Steel, bronze, gold, Eastern Central Asian — Short Sword (Duan Jian)
Eastern Central Asian
ca. 4th–1st century BCE

Armorial Plate (tondino): The story of King Midas, Nicola da Urbino Italian, Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware) — Armorial Plate (tondino): The story of King Midas
Nicola da Urbino
ca. 1520–25

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.