I need help figuring out what this is exactly. Any help would be really appreciated. It's about 7"x6"x4". We are thinking it may be about 1,500 years old but not quite sure. We are pretty sure it is authentic, and if anyone has any more knowledge about what Dynasty it may have come from and the worth of it, we are kind of clueless past bringing it to a museum to get more information.
http://aycu13.webshots.com/image/38212/2000041423029206116_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000041423029206116)
http://aycu36.webshots.com/image/37515/2000099337058237142_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000099337058237142)
http://aycu10.webshots.com/image/35209/2000050838254608550_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000050838254608550)
http://aycu10.webshots.com/image/36209/2000005902491846385_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000005902491846385)
http://aycu35.webshots.com/image/38074/2000032032124286529_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000032032124286529)

If you bought this is in China on a visit it is fake. They are notorious for fooling gullible westerners into buying fake artifacts.

No that is not how I got it.

Is there a reason you're asking people on an internet forum dedicated to a game instead of taking it to someone who specializes in authenticating and appraising chinese artifacts?

Is there a reason you're asking people on an internet forum dedicated to a game instead of taking it to someone who specializes in authenticating and appraising chinese artifacts?

This.

Although it doesn't hurt to ask, I wouldn't trust people on a game forum to be able to authenticate/identify ancient artifacts based on some pictures. (Well, I certainly can't, at any rate. I'm just running my mouth now. I wish I could delete this post.)

Find an archaeologist.

You would be surprised how much "people on the internets" could tell you. Simply, I would be stupid not to use the forum.

This should be in the off-topic area.

Should be in OT or World History.

I would say this is Tang era if this is not a fake but genuine. The Tang loved to do horses because of their protectorate in Ferghana. The woman might seem "Tangish". Tang women were curvy and plump.

Judging from the rider's clothing and assuming it is a woman then I would say it came from Tang Dynasty as well. However, this type of figurine from the Tang Era are usually gulvarnized. So if this one is indeed from Tang Era then it would be a rare find indeed. :)

Do you guys have any experience with items such as this? "IF" it is genuine I would like to get it in the hands of the right people.

Do you guys have any experience with items such as this? "IF" it is genuine I would like to get it in the hands of the right people.

Where did you buy it?

Where do you live?

Places to go would be decent/large university, musuem preferably one that deals with antiquities/ancient stuff, and any other heritage art center.

I live in Dallas, TX. I am going to try a Uni or something after the Christmas holiday. I will let you guys know what happened.

Did the statue come in the Civ IV game-box?

I live in Dallas, TX. I am going to try a Uni or something after the Christmas holiday. I will let you guys know what happened.

Hah! What a small world! I live in Dallas. I would try the DMA. Of course I could probably cook up some other places you could go if I gave it some thought. Actually maybe Trammell Crowe first instead of DMA because they deal with oriental art.

Subscribed to see how it went.

me too, im curious

So, is this some kind of new unit in Civ5?

You should post this in the Indiana Jones forum on IMDB.

Looks like Tang Dynasty or People's Republic era. Better go to an expert i think.

Having been to China myself recently, and having visited many museums there, I'll throw my vote in with those who say it's Tang dynasty. The somewhat chubby horse, the plump rider, it all fits.