Craft:Chinese traditional handicraft with thousands of years history

Origin:Luoyang

Tang San Cai, also called Tricolor Glazed Pottery and a gem of ancient Chinese art, is a kind of handmade glazed ware of exquisite craftsmanship created in the Northern and Southern Dynasty (386-589) about 1,400 years ago. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the production of Tang San Cai reached its peak, which is part of the reason the pottery got the name of Tang San Cai.

Luoyang, named the eastern capital in ancient times, in Henan Province was the home of Tang San Cai, and most of unearthed Tang San Cai was found in Luoyang.

Tang San Cai is a polychrome handicraft with yellow, green, and white as its major tones. It is fired with lead glaze and presents a harmonious complex of varied colors, deep and light. The process is complicated: first, bake the ready mode in kilns until the temperature reaches 1,100oC, then take it out and apply glaze on it; bake it again in kilns at a temperature of about 900¡ãC.

Tang San Cai items that have been unearthed include horses, humans, and even pillows, and camels, of which the pottery camel is one of the best. Its head rises high, as if telling stories about merchant caravans along the Silk Road in the remote past and the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.

Being the gem of ancient Chinese art, Tang San Cai absorbed the advantages of Chinese painting, sculpture and stone carving. It features fleshy figures, regular and exquisite technics, compact carving traces, and smooth lines, indicating the high-level of the craft reached in the Tang Dynasty. Tang San Cai is primaryly divided into pottery tomb-figures and daily commodities.

After the founding of new China, specialized institutions have been set up to study the technics of making Tang San Cai, which has boosted the development of the craft.

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Rich Artistic Connotation & Historical Background:

The artwork is a Tang Dynasty tri-colored glazed pottery horse, known as the "Immortal Beast."

This exquisite piece of art showcases the unique charm of ancient Chinese art through its intricate craftsmanship and vibrant colors.

The horse is adorned with green and blue decorations, which were considered auspicious colors in ancient times, symbolizing vitality and energy.

Furthermore, this pottery horse holds historical significance as it was produced during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), reflecting the cultural and aesthetic values of that era.

From an artistic standpoint, the design of this pottery horse is highly refined.

Its body lines are smooth and muscular, exuding a sense of power and movement.

The horse's head and limbs have also been meticulously carved, demonstrating the artist's exceptional skills.

Additionally, the horse possesses decorative elements such as a golden ornament on its tail, enhancing its artistic value and visual appeal.

Culturally, this pottery horse represents the traditional artistic heritage and cultural values of ancient China.

In Chinese traditional culture, horses are regarded as symbols of bravery, loyalty, and speed, making this horse a possible expression of people's yearning for a better life.

Moreover, Tang Tri-colored Glazed Pottery, renowned for its rich colors and delicate textures, is a unique ceramic craft.

This pottery horse may be one of the representative works of this craft.

In conclusion, this Tang Dynasty tri-colored glazed pottery horse is an artwork with rich spiritual connotations and historical significance.

It not only showcases the unique charm of ancient Chinese art but also reflects the cultural values and aesthetic concepts of that era.