Excavated from Orido Ceramic Kiln No. 75, Nisshin-machi, Aichi.
10th century.
Height 15.5cm, Length 24.7cm, Body width 7.5cm
Honda Collection
Horse-shaped ceramics were most common in the Nara period (710-794) and gradually decreased in number during the Heian period (794-1192). This pottery horse is one of the few examples from the late Heian period.
Although it is a bare-bodied horse, the expression on the horse is quite outstanding. The mouth and nose are thinly made, and the forelocks of hair hang down between the ears. The neck and torso are also well made, and the work must have been done by someone who was familiar with the characteristics of horses. If so, the short legs may be due to the fact that it was modeled after a Kiso horse. The body is very well tempered and has a grayish-black color.
