Overview
The Flying Horse of Gansu is an Eastern Han bronze of the 2nd century, also known as the Bronze Galloping Horse. It was excavated in 1969 from an Eastern Han tomb at Leitai in Wuwei, Gansu, believed to be that of a military official.
Description
About 34.5 cm high, the horse is caught at full gallop with its entire weight balanced on a single hind hoof, which rests on a flying bird. The bird is usually described as a swallow, though its identification is debated.
History and legacy
Celebrated as a masterpiece of Han casting for its sense of motion and perfect balance, the horse is now held by the Gansu Provincial Museum. Since 1983 its silhouette has served as the emblem of China’s national tourism administration.