Asia Society Home Asia Society Home
  1 of 4  next >
enlarge image map of region
CHINESE OBJECTS FROM THE COLLECTION
Chinese Bronzes of the Shang and Zhou Periods
Han Dynasty Bronzes
Early Chinese Ceramics
Sculpture from Tombs
Chinese Buddhist Sculpture
Tang and Liao Dynasty Metalwork
Ceramics of the Song and Jin Periods
Porcelains of the Yuan and Early Ming Periods
Imperial Chinese Ceramics of the 15th Century
Ceramics of the Late Ming Period
Qing Dynasty Porcelain
Landscape Painting in China
Jade and Lacquer in China
Lobed Dish
North China; Liao period (907 - 1125)
Silver-gilt with embossing
H. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm); D. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm)across points
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection of Asian Art
1979.116
The decoration of this small, lobed, silver-gilt dish illustrates the mixture of Tang-dynasty traditions and other traditions often found in Liao-period art. The scrolling vines, some of which are filled with birds, on the rim and upper part of the interior of the dish are among the motifs popular in Tang metalwork. The scene at the base of the dish, though, is very unusual: three figures, two walking and one mounted, are shown hunting among a series of rolling hills. Both of the standing figures hold weapons, and they appear to be fighting with two very large snakes, giving the scene a strong narrative quality, although no specific story has yet been identified.
Home |  South Asia |  Himalaya |  Southeast Asia |  China & Mongolia |  Korea |  Japan
Treasures |  Guided Tour |  Timeline |  Search
About the Asia Society | The Rockefellers and the Asia Society | Site Map
Credits | ©Copyright 2007 Asia Society