Leonard Stockting (1897 - 1986)
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Leonard Stockting (1897 - 1986) "The Flying Horse of Gansu" Bronze, Height 14½"
Leonard Stockting was a British sculptor, born in Frome, Somerset in 1897. He became an apprentice metal worker in 1911 at the firm of J.W. Singer & Sons, however his apprenticeship ended in 1916, when he left to join the Royal Naval Air Service, as an aircraft mechanic. In the 1920's he was employed by the firm of Morris Singer in London, at the time one of the leading foundries in England, responsible for producing iconic public sculptures, such as the figure of Eros in Piccadilly Circus, the lions at Trafalgar Square and the doors of the Bank of England. In later years they went on to produce many bronze sculptures by artists such as Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore.
The Flying Horse of Gansu, dating from the second century CE, was discovered in 1969 and was one of over two hundred bronze figures of men, horses and chariots which were discovered in a burial chamber under a monastery at Leitai in Wuwei province in China. The discovery was made by some local people who had been instructed to build air raid shelters, in case of war with the Soviet Union. It is believed that the tomb belonged to a Han dynasty army general, General Zhang of Zhangye.
In this bronze, the flying horse is depicted in full gallop, with its head and tail raised and with just one hoof touching on the back of a flying swallow. The horse depicted is of a breed that was brought back from Fergana, a state in Eastern Uzbekistan, during an expedition sent by the emperor Han Wudi in 104 BCE. Often referred to as ‘Heavenly Horses’ or ‘Celestial Horses’, this breed was highly prized in China, as they were larger and stronger than any native breeds and as a result were also considered as a status symbol.
After its discovery, the Flying Horse of Gansu, quickly became an iconic image in China, and monumental bronze copies were installed in many city squares throughout the country. The original bronze is now housed in the Gansu Museum and is considered to be one of the most valuable artistic treasures in the world, so much so, that the Chinese Government have placed a ban on it ever being taken out of China for exhibition.
The Flying Horse of Gansu, dating from the second century CE, was discovered in 1969 and was one of over two hundred bronze figures of men, horses and chariots which were discovered in a burial chamber under a monastery at Leitai in Wuwei province in China. The discovery was made by some local people who had been instructed to build air raid shelters, in case of war with the Soviet Union. It is believed that the tomb belonged to a Han dynasty army general, General Zhang of Zhangye.
In this bronze, the flying horse is depicted in full gallop, with its head and tail raised and with just one hoof touching on the back of a flying swallow. The horse depicted is of a breed that was brought back from Fergana, a state in Eastern Uzbekistan, during an expedition sent by the emperor Han Wudi in 104 BCE. Often referred to as ‘Heavenly Horses’ or ‘Celestial Horses’, this breed was highly prized in China, as they were larger and stronger than any native breeds and as a result were also considered as a status symbol.
After its discovery, the Flying Horse of Gansu, quickly became an iconic image in China, and monumental bronze copies were installed in many city squares throughout the country. The original bronze is now housed in the Gansu Museum and is considered to be one of the most valuable artistic treasures in the world, so much so, that the Chinese Government have placed a ban on it ever being taken out of China for exhibition.