The Viera Gallery is selling a bronze cavalry statue from the late East Han Dynasty (A.D. 25 – 220) on eBay. The statue features a rider holding a halberd and sitting on the back of a horse. The statue comes in a piece, which means it is not in sections. The horse and rider are hollow, and it was originally painted (not the dark brown part, that’s the bronze body). Bronze corrosion is found and the piece has not been cleaned (not recommended to clean it as it could spoil the statue, thus causing further damage).
Horse: The horse is vibrant, active and majestic. All details are present — erect ears, muscular flanks and a waving forelock as found on many Han Dy. horses. Bridle and reins may have been originally present judging by the shape of the mouth and the hole in the rider’s right hand. Two small corrosion holes at back of neck and two small holes on left rear hoof. Otherwise, solid, complete and undamaged. Dimensions: 19.5 in high x 20.75 long x 5.5 wide/ 49.5 x 53.5 x 14 cm. 9 lb 2 oz/ 4140 gm.
Rider: The cavalryman wears a flat-topper hat and decorated straps cross the torso. Lower arms are extended to carry the halberd and hold the reins in holes cast in the piece. Facial details and hair are masterfully done. Legs appear to be covered in a type of legging. Underlying bronze quite evident on the back of the rider. One small chink on the top of inside of one leg appears to be from casting and not from corrosion. No damage of any kind. Dimensions: 15.75 in long x 7.25 wide/ 40 x 18 cm. 4 lb 1 oz/ 1845 gm.
Saddle: The saddle is U-shaped with two vertical edges. The rear edge is higher than the front. A small chink on one edge is a casting artifact. 6 small pinholes that do not affect strength or integrity. Dimensions: 4.5 x 4 in/ 11.5 x 10 cm. 9 oz/ 250 gm.
Halberd: The rider carries a long spear-like weapon with a halberd tip. The halberd fits tightly into a hole in the rider’s left hand. Dimensions: 15.25 in/ 39 cm. long. 4 oz/ 110 gm.
Assembled dimensions: 28 in high x 20.75 long x 7.25 wide/ 71 x 53.5 x 18 cm. 14 lb/ 6340 gm.
The price for the bronze sculpture is US $30,000.00, and you can buy it from eBay. The end time for this bronze cavalry statue is on December 30th, 2008.
