Antique Chinese Terra-cotta Restoration Han and Tang Dynasty Horse and Rider

These antique Chinese terra cotta horse and rider sculptures arrived from different clients, each with its own restoration challenges. Made from soft, low-fired clay, the pieces were extremely fragile and had broken into multiple fragments, with some sections missing entirely.

To provide long-term structural stability, we reinforced key areas with metal pins and pegs. Missing parts were carefully sculpted in clay and kiln fired before being integrated into the original forms. The work required close attention to surface texture, aging characteristics, and subtle color variations so the restored areas would blend with the original terra cotta surface.

Below are before-and-after examples, along with step-by-step images showing how these complex restorations were carried out.

Chinese Terracotta Tang Dynasty Horse and Rider Repair and Restoration
Tang Dynasty Terra Cotta Horse and Rider Sculpture Repair
Tang Dynasty Terracotta Bactrian Camel
Tang Dynasty Terracotta horse and rider
Broken Chinese Terra Cotta horse	Restored Terra Cotta horse
Broken Chinese Terra Cotta horse & rider	Restored Terra Cotta horse and rider
Broken Chinese Terra Cotta horse & rider	Restored Terra Cotta horse and rider
Broken Terra Cotta horse and rider	Restored Chinese Terra Cotta horse
Visible old repairs and missing parts	Missing piece made out of fired clay
Sculpted pieces fired in kiln	Fired sculpted hands mounted

How to determine the value and how old is my ancient pottery or sculpture or if it is authentic? Items such as Han Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, Pre-Columbian, Israelite, Roman, Egyptian, Moche and Mayan Pottery, etc. - See link Q&A #3