Auspicious horse carrying treasures

This beautifully caparisoned horse marches across the waves. It carries a precious vase, surmounted by a flaming jewel. The saddle is incised with a leaf motif, and the tasseled saddle rug is decorated with baoxianhua (a composite flower associated with Buddhist art) above waves. The horse's mane and tail are well delineated by fine striations. The horse wears two pompoms; the one below his neck is worked between the halter, which required much care and precision by the artisan.

The horse carrying a precious vase could be one of the seven jewels of the universal monarch (Wheel of the Law, wish-granting pearl, general, minister, queen, elephant, and horse), sets of which were placed on the altar during the Qing dynasty. It can also be in the same genre as the unicorn carrying a book, in which case this is a sea horse offering treasures.