TANG HORSES
These bas-reliefs* of a horse, and a horse and groom are among the most important objects in the Museum, and among the most important Chinese sculpture outside China. They are two of an original set of six stone images of Chinese emperor Taizong’s* favorite noble steeds, commissioned by the emperor himself. Originally the six reliefs lined the approach to a sacrificial altar behind the emperor’s burial mound. Today the other four are in the Forest of Stele Museum in Xi’an*.
Taizong made his reputation as a great emperor through military victories that extended China’s borders beyond the empire he inherited from his father, who had founded the Tang dynasty in 618 AD. Each of the horses depicted on a relief was instrumental in one of his major victories.
These bas-reliefs of a horse, and a horse and groom are among the most important objects in the Museum, and among the most important Chinese sculpture outside China. They are two of an original set of six stone images of Chinese emperor Taizong’s favorite noble steeds, commissioned by the emperor himself. Originally the six reliefs lined the approach to a sacrificial altar behind the emperor’s burial mound. Today the other four are in the Forest of Stele Museum in Xi’an.
Taizong made his reputation as a great emperor through military victories that extended China’s borders beyond the empire he inherited from his father, who had founded the Tang dynasty in 618 AD. Each of the horses depicted on a relief was instrumental in one of his major victories.
Taizong made his reputation as a great emperor through military victories that extended China’s borders beyond the empire he inherited from his father, who had founded the Tang dynasty in 618 AD. Each of the horses depicted on a relief was instrumental in one of his major victories.
