Taerpo Horserider

The Taerpo Horserider is a terracotta figurine dated to the 4th–3rd century BCE from a Qin tomb in the Taerpo cemetery (塔兒坡墓), near Xianyang in Shaanxi. Another nearly-identical statuette is known, from the same tomb. Small holes in his hands suggest that he was originally holding reins in one hand, and a weapon in the other.^[1]

MaterialTerracotta

Size23 cm tall^[1]

Created4th–3rd century BCE

DiscoveredTaerpo cemetery, near Xianyang 34.361309°N 108.743223°E / 34.361309; 108.743223^[2]

Quick facts Material, Size ...

Taerpo Horserider
Material	Terracotta
Size	23 cm tall[1]
Created	4th–3rd century BCE
Discovered	Taerpo cemetery, near Xianyang 34.361309°N 108.743223°E / 34.361309; 108.743223[2]
Present location	Xianyang Museum Taerpo Taerpo (Continental Asia)

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This is the earliest known representation of a cavalryman in China.^[1][3][4][1] King Zheng of Qin (246–221 BCE) is also known to have employed steppe cavalry men in his army, as seen in the Terracotta Army.^[5].

Only red and white are used as colors, as most terracotta statuettes known from the Qin state period.^[6]

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  Another view of the statuette
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  Taerpo horserider (face detail)
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  Difference in realism between the Taerpo statuette (4th-3rd century BCE) and the Terracotta Army (210 BCE).^[7]
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  Front view