The T’ang Dynasty was a golden age of Chinese
culture. The arts reached new levels of
sophistication. Poetry and literature flourished
under the enlightened rulership. The Silk Road
brought fortunes into China on the backs of
camels, carrying exotic luxury items from distant
lands. Foreign merchants from across Central
Asia and the Middle East settled in the urban
centers of the T’ang China, foremost among
them the thriving capital of Chang’an (modern
X’ian), a bustling cosmopolitan center of over
two million inhabitants. The T’ang Dynasty was
a relatively stable period of great prosperity
representing one of the greatest cultural
flourishings in human history.
The legacy of the T’ang survives foremost in
their tremendous artistic creations. This
stunning terracotta vase is a testament to the
artistic mastery of Chinese potters. The gently
bulging body is refined in its smooth curves.
Modeled after bronze examples, this vessel,
covered in a delicate crème glaze, would have
provided a more affordable alternative to its
bronze counterparts. Although the body is
unadorned, the handles take the form of stylized
dragons. They bite down on the rim of the vase
with their pointed mouths as if attempting to
drink the precious contents of this container
(most probably wine). This gorgeous vase
reveals the refinement and luxury of the T’ang
era, where sumptuous wines where enjoyed as
much as the beautiful forms of the vessel that
contained them.
- (H.1070)
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