This sculpture is a Ming dynasty mingqi horse, a funerary object crafted from glazed and painted terracotta and dating to the early Ming period (1368–1644). Mingqi, meaning “spirit utensils” or “bright objects,” were burial goods placed in tombs to provide for the deceased in the afterlife, reflecting the belief that worldly comforts and status should accompany the soul beyond death.

Horses were particularly valued as symbols of wealth, power, and status, and their presence among mingqi signified both the importance of the tomb occupant and the wish for continued prosperity in the afterlife.

This horse sculpture displays the characteristic broad face of Ming dynasty equine figures and is adorned with a tricolor glaze-predominantly green and amber-over a cream base. The saddle, saddle cloth, and harness are carefully detailed, and the use of green glaze is typical of Ming mingqi ceramics. The horse stands on a rectangular plinth, further emphasizing its ceremonial function.