Horse+Treads+on+the+Hun+-+Tomb+of+General+Huo+Qubing

**Horse Treads on the Hun**


[|Horse Treading the Hun] On display at the Tomb of General Huo Qubing in Xianyang, China

**Identification** **Title:**Horse Treads on the Hun **Artist:** Su Boya **Medium:** Pegmatite **Date:** 117 BCE **Period:** Han Dynasty **Country of Origin:** China **Culture:** Chinese **Size:** 6.2 x 5.51 ft. 1.9 x 1.68 m.  **Accession Number:** **Current Location**: Xianyang, China **Manner of Display:** **Provenance:** None

The Horse Treads on the Hun is a carving from the Han Dynasty placed at General Huo Qubing's tomb. Huo Qubing died as young man at the age of 24 from the plague (source). The horses and other carved animals at his tomb are well known pieces throughout China and the world.The large carved horse outside of the General Qubing's Tomb is found in China, near the Maoling Mausoleum. Huo Qubing's tomb is shaped in a mound like form that is said the resemble the Qilian Mountain where he fought one of his best known battles.There were large rocks placed on the mound and stone figures and horses stood directly infront of the mound. The rocks were placed on top of the Tomb to show off the general's success in fighting the Hun in the Western Gansu area and recognize some of his other great achievements. Various carved stone animals were placed in front the tomb, one of the most well known being the horse that is said to be treading on the Hun warriors. These carvings are the earliest that have been found dating to the Western Han Dynasty, and were created a short time after the great Generals death.
 * Introduction **

The horse is carved in a naturalistic style, but not true to form, as it is not detailed.The carvings at the tomb resemble the horses from the First Emperor's Terracotta Army, however with significant differences, the most noticeable of them being the figure is not free standing, but has a middle section between the legs that has not been cut out. Doing so would not be possible because the weight of the stone. Carved into this pale cream colored stone section is an Hun Warrior on his back satbbing a dagger into the underbelly of the horse. The man has a long beard and his arms and legs wrap around the sides of the statue. Many of the details of the warrior are no longer visible due to the age of the piece. It is thought that the Hun warrior found at the under belly of the horse is wounded and probably dead due to his body posistion and the features that are assumed to once have been there (source-who "thought" this?). The horse does not have much detail left at this point, but even in its prime, it was not very ornate. There are deep grooves to give the appearance of muscles and jaw structure, but not much else. Because there is a lack of adornments, a saddle, or military gear that General Qubing's horse would have worn it is widely thought that this is not the general's horse.
 * Descriptive Analysis **

This piece tells the story of a Hun warrior attacking a horse in General Qubing's army. The war was brutal and the general was determine to wipe out the Hun altogether. He (who?) refused to marry and begin a family because he felt his duty was not done. The general lead a very skilled army, and they did not back down. This is seen in the carving because the Hun warrior is shown killing an unmounted horse which shows desperation. The general and his army simply could not be beat. The horse is carved in pegmatite, a very hard stone, which symbolizes the strength and toughness of the army (source).
 * Contextual and Formal Analysis **

The multiple animal statues were built in the years following the General's death in 117 BCE and placed at Huo Qubing's tomb in the city of Xianyang, where they can still be seen to this day.The carvings were influenced by pervious carvings of tomb animals, like those found in the tomb of China's First Emperor and his Terracotta Army. This piece, like many of the animals found at the site, is simplistic in form, without much detail to the carving itself. Some historians say it was due to the hardness of the stone, that they were just not able to get very detailed, and others say that it was how they wanted the carvings to appear. At the time the tomb was made, the war with the Hun was resolved. Unlike many figures that we see in shrines or other tombs the figures were placed outside, not inside the tomb. Carved in memory of the General and his accomplishments in warfare, they are placed at the site to commemorate the general. Many have said that he wished to have his army with him in the after life and that is why the horses are present at his tomb. Unlike many other memorial sites, the carvings do not have any religious or spiritual significance, they are simply there to memorialize the young general's life achievements (source).The carved animals were intended for public viewing by those who came to the near by mausoleum and the tomb of the general. The size and amount of the figures show his powerful status as a general.

I really enjoy this piece. It doesn't have any particular place in my heart, but i find it fascinating. I am amazed by its age and the condition that it is in. It has been out side for over 100 years and it is still in great shape. The craftsmanship is gorgeous; it simplistic and at the same time majestic and has a real presence about it. The simplicity of it really speaks to me. It has strong carved musculature and a jaw bone, but not a whole lot more and it really shows the magnitude of the horse. The man attacking the horse is almost secondary to the carving. Studying this piece really changed my views of it because we have so much technology these days, a carving doesn't really mean much to me, but once i researched the piece and realized what a big deal it was I was really impressed by it. To think that so long ago they had the knowledge of how to carve from such a hard stone is pretty incredible. This has definitely opened my eyes to other pieces and how they may have been impressive or innovative for their time.
 * Personal Interpretation **

**References**


 * Print**


 * Gascoigne, Bamber. //The Dynasties and Treasures of China.// New York: The Viking Press, 1973 **

Munsterberg, Hugo. //Symbolism in Ancient Chinese Art.// New York: Hacker Art Books,1986

Sullivan, Michael. The Arts of China. London: The University of California Press, 1999

Thorp, Robert L. //Chinese Art and Culture//. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2001

Treager, Mary. Chinese Art. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd., 1997


 * Online**

http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/atam/115101.htm

http://history.cultural-china.com/en/47H499H4152.html

http://www.xianjoy.com/attractions/tomb_of_huo_qubing.htm


 * Images**

http://heritage-key.com/medialink/files/china_horse.jpg

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/images/photogallery/2009/0617094002.jpg