Round, proud and wonderfully plump, with its head turned back over its shoulder and a jingle of bells hanging from its harness. This Tang Dynasty horse is carved by hand from a single block of African Padauk and finished in a warm antique brown, so it looks like a treasure pulled from an old collector's cabinet.
🌿 Meaning & Symbolism
- During China's Tang Dynasty (618–907), a golden age of trade along the Silk Road, artists loved to show horses round and well fed. A plump horse was a sign of a wealthy, peaceful and abundant household, and these figures became some of the most treasured pieces of Chinese art.
- In feng shui the horse stands for success, speed, perseverance and career growth. The old saying "ma dao cheng gong", "success arrives with the horse", makes it a classic gift for new beginnings.
- 2026 is the Year of the Horse in the lunar calendar, which makes this piece especially meaningful for anyone born in a horse year (1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026).
🪵 The Wood & The Craft
- Carved from solid African Padauk, a dense tropical hardwood prized for its strength and warm red-brown tone, then hand-finished with an antique colour wash: warm amber on the body, deep brown on the saddle, bridle and hooves, gently rubbed back on the edges for an aged look.
- Carved 100% by hand by family artisans in Thuong Tin district, Hanoi. No CNC. Look at the woven chest strap, the studded saddle and the little bells: each detail is cut by chisel.
- The wood grain still shows through the finish, so every horse is slightly different in tone and pattern.
📏 Dimensions & Feng Shui Placement
· Height: 6.7 in (17 cm)
· Length: 7.9 in (20 cm)
· Width: 3.9 in (10 cm)
· Weight: about 2.4 lb (1.1 kg)
- A solid, weighty piece that sits beautifully on a desk, bookshelf, mantel, sideboard or reception counter.
- In feng shui the horse belongs to the South, the area of fame and recognition. A desk or office facing south is the classic spot for career luck.
- Face the horse into the room or toward the entrance, as if it is arriving with good news, rather than facing out of a door or window.
🎁 As a Gift
- A memorable gift for a promotion, a new business, a retirement, a housewarming, or anyone born in the Year of the Horse.
- Loved by horse lovers, equestrians and collectors of Asian and Tang-style art.
📦 Packaging & Shipping
Carefully wrapped in protective padding and packed in a sturdy box, ready to gift. Ships worldwide from our workshop in Hanoi, Vietnam.
