Painted Stone Horseback Rider from Eastern Han Dynasty

              Painted Stone Figure on Horse

Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD) Unearthed in Wangdu, Hebei in 1955
Painted Stone Figure on Horse
Eastern Han Dynasty(25-220 AD)Unearthed at Wangdu,Hebei Province,1955
       This stone carving is made from a single block of limestone. The equestrian attendant wears a black flat kerchief on his head, a red-and-white cloud-patterned short jacket, and pink-and-red cloud-patterned wide-leg trousers. He carries a wine pot in his left hand and two fish in his right, appearing joyful as if returning from buying wine. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the style of sculptural art changed significantly compared to the Western Han. Western Han stone carvings generally focused on broad outlines, aiming for simplicity, while Eastern Han stone carvings introduced a new trend of using lines to depict clothing and feathers. The overall design of this painted stone figure on horseback is ancient and vigorous, with lively and vivid details, especially the smiling, curved eyes, which convey the attendant's joyful mood. It is a masterpiece of Eastern Han stone carving art. Its subject matter is also unique to the Han Dynasty.