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Flying Horse of Gansu

Flying Horse of Gansu is a Chinese bronze sculpture from the Later Han dynasty (23–220 CE), now in the Gansu Provincial Museum. Also known as the Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow, it came from a tomb at Leitai near Wuwei, discovered in 1969. The horse is shown in full gallop and is balanced on one leg, with a flattened swallow supporting the raised hoof. It is regarded as an exceptional full-round animal sculpture, notable for both its realism and its archaic linear treatment. The work became widely famous after Guo Moruo recognized its value in the museum storage in the early 1970s.

Flying Horse of Gansu bronze horse sculpture balanced on one hoof atop a bird on a display stand
The Flying Horse of Gansu bronze sculpture shown in a dynamic, airborne pose on display.
2007 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Weathered bronze Flying Horse of Gansu sculpture in a galloping pose on a pedestal inside a display case.
The Flying Horse of Gansu bronze sculpture is shown in a dramatic galloping pose inside a museum display case.
May 2013 © · CC0
Flying Horse of Gansu bronze horse statue in a galloping pose, balancing on one hoof atop a bird-like figure.
The Flying Horse of Gansu shown mid-gallop, with one hoof resting on a bird-like base.
May 2013 © · CC0
Flying Horse of Gansu bronze sculpture balancing on one hind leg with a bird-like base
The Flying Horse of Gansu bronze sculpture, shown in a galloping pose balanced on a bird-like figure.
May 2013 © · CC0
Flying Horse of Gansu bronze sculpture poised on one rear hoof atop a bird figure
The Flying Horse of Gansu bronze sculpture shown in a dynamic galloping pose atop a bird figure.
2007 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleFlying Horse of Gansu
Alternative namesGalloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow; Galloping Horse Treading on a Swallow; Flying Horse of the Han dynasty; Flying Horse; Gansu Flying Horse; Bronze galloping horse (铜奔马, Tóng bēn mǎ); Bronze Running Horse; bronze running horse; 马踏飞燕, Mǎtà fēiyàn
Original-language name銅奔馬; 馬踏飛燕
TypeChinese bronze sculpture; bronze horse statuette
Depicted subjectA horse in gallop / flight, shown treading on or standing on a flying swallow

Historical context

DateHan dynasty, probably 2nd century CE; some sources give 2nd–1st century BC or Eastern Han (25–220 CE)
Funerary contextPart of the furnishings of a Han dynasty tomb assemblage
Burial attributionThe tomb was identified by inscriptions on three silver seals as belonging to General Zhang; it is also described as the tomb of Governor Zhang Yechang / a Han dynasty army general tasked with maintaining the imperial frontier defenses
Horse breed representedA so-called heavenly horse associated with horses introduced from Sogdiana / the Ferghana Valley

Creator

Artistic traditionChinese sculpture and animal portraiture

Discovery and provenance

Discovery date1969
Discovery locationLeitai tomb under Leitai Temple near Wuwei, Gansu, China
Discovery circumstancesDiscovered by local villagers while digging air-raid shelters during the Cultural Revolution; the bronzes were initially taken home in plastic bags and later reported to provincial authorities
Associated findsMore than 200 bronze figures of men, horses, and chariots were found with it
Tomb descriptionA three-chambered tomb beneath a monastery / temple
Tomb conditionThe tomb appears to have been looted shortly after burial, but the chamber containing the bronzes had not been entered
Museum transferThe grave goods were taken to the Gansu Provincial Museum in Lanzhou

Physical characteristics

Head and body featuresHead raised, long muzzle, vigorous / brave / mettlesome expression
Balance structureA flattened swallow under the hoof provides hidden support without being visibly pressed down
PoseThe horse is shown in midair, balanced on one leg / one hoof, with the other three feet not touching support
Dimensions45 × 10 × 34.5 cm

Materials

MaterialBronze

Technique

ConstructionFull three-dimensional sculpture with a hidden supporting element

Appearance

Stylistic descriptionStylized but realistic, with an archaic character and a linear, symmetrical treatment of the body and legs
Movement depictionThe body expresses a gallop, though the leg positions are anatomically incorrect for the gait
Comparative styleNoted as having something close to Ancient Greek sculpture

Iconography and meaning

Bird motifA flying swallow is included as a symbol of speed; scholars noted that the bird may not actually be a swallow
InterpretationThe sculpture may also represent a tianma, a heavenly horse from Chinese mythology

Location and ownership

Current locationGansu Provincial Museum, Lanzhou, Gansu, China

History and restoration

Recognition historyGuo Moruo recognized its exceptional value in the early 1970s after visiting the museum storerooms with King Sihanouk and reportedly called it the best object in the museum
Protection statusIn 2002, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China included it on the initial list of 64 cultural relics forbidden to be taken out of China for exhibition abroad

Significance

Artistic significanceRegarded as an exceptional example of full sculpture, three-dimensional form, and animal representation
Regional significanceThe most famous historical relic of Gansu Province and a popular symbol of Gansu
National significanceIt has become a symbol of the Chinese nation
Tourism symbolIn 1983 / 1984, the China National Tourism Administration selected it as the symbol of Chinese tourism and of the administration's Best Tourist City of China program

Other

Replica in LanzhouA large replica stands in front of Lanzhou railway station
Replica in GenevaA bronze copy was presented to the United Nations Office in Geneva in 1987 and is displayed in the Palace of Nations
Replica in LexingtonAnother copy was donated to Lexington, Kentucky, on 15 June 2000