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Lot Essay
This rare single-horned mythical beast is extraordinary not only for its size but also for the exceptional modelling of its composite body: the head and body of a bovine, elephantine ears, wings, the legs and paws of a dog and a long sabre-like ox tail. Composite creatures of this type, later known as qilin, are emblematic of the Han dynasty interest in a spirit world populated by fantastic creatures. Such mythological creatures were seen as both powerful and protective and usually seen as auspicious.
Two related creatures, both of large size and both called unicorns are illustrated by A. Juliano and J. Lerner in the catalogue for the exhibition, Monks and Merchants; Silk Road Treasures from Northwest China, Asia Society, New York, 2001, pp. 44-5, nos. 6 and 7. Both depict a single-horned creature standing with head lowered as if to charge, and with long tail extended. The painted wood figure (no. 6) dated to the Han dynasty was excavated at Mocuizi, Wuwei, Gansu province and is 93.7cm. overall. Like the present figure the horn, tail and legs are separately made, although differently attached. The bronze figure excavated at Xiaheqing, Jiuquan, Gansu province is dated to the Wei/Jin dynasties (220-317) and is 70.2cm. long and parts of it appear to be separately made and then attached. Considering the size and weight of the body of the present figure it would make sense that the legs, as well as the horn and tail were separately made.
A related, smaller pottery figure of a unicorn (41cm. long) apparently missing its tail dated to the Northern Wei period was included in the exhibition, China Imperial; Las Dinastias de Xi'an, Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Mexico City, 2000, no. 128. It too is shown standing with head lowered. Another related figure is that of a painted grey pottery winged mythical creature with more of a dragon-like head and long ears, unearthed in 1979 at Xian City, Shaanxi province, and included in the exhibition, Treasures from the Han, The Empress Place, Singapore, 1990, p. 73 (bottom left). This creature, too, is made in sections, with the wings and tail separate. See, also, the small bronze bottom of an oil lamp of Western Han date cast in the form of a reclining bovine, included in the exhibition, Bronzen aus dem alten China, Museum Rietberg, Zurich, 1975 - 1976, p. 111, no. 61. Stylistically the eyes and muzzle are very similar to the present figure.
The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. test no. C103h92 is consistent with the dating of this lot.
Two related creatures, both of large size and both called unicorns are illustrated by A. Juliano and J. Lerner in the catalogue for the exhibition, Monks and Merchants; Silk Road Treasures from Northwest China, Asia Society, New York, 2001, pp. 44-5, nos. 6 and 7. Both depict a single-horned creature standing with head lowered as if to charge, and with long tail extended. The painted wood figure (no. 6) dated to the Han dynasty was excavated at Mocuizi, Wuwei, Gansu province and is 93.7cm. overall. Like the present figure the horn, tail and legs are separately made, although differently attached. The bronze figure excavated at Xiaheqing, Jiuquan, Gansu province is dated to the Wei/Jin dynasties (220-317) and is 70.2cm. long and parts of it appear to be separately made and then attached. Considering the size and weight of the body of the present figure it would make sense that the legs, as well as the horn and tail were separately made.
A related, smaller pottery figure of a unicorn (41cm. long) apparently missing its tail dated to the Northern Wei period was included in the exhibition, China Imperial; Las Dinastias de Xi'an, Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Mexico City, 2000, no. 128. It too is shown standing with head lowered. Another related figure is that of a painted grey pottery winged mythical creature with more of a dragon-like head and long ears, unearthed in 1979 at Xian City, Shaanxi province, and included in the exhibition, Treasures from the Han, The Empress Place, Singapore, 1990, p. 73 (bottom left). This creature, too, is made in sections, with the wings and tail separate. See, also, the small bronze bottom of an oil lamp of Western Han date cast in the form of a reclining bovine, included in the exhibition, Bronzen aus dem alten China, Museum Rietberg, Zurich, 1975 - 1976, p. 111, no. 61. Stylistically the eyes and muzzle are very similar to the present figure.
The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. test no. C103h92 is consistent with the dating of this lot.