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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
Bowl
North China; Tang period (618-906), about late 7th - early 8th century
Silver with embossing, chasing, engraving, and gilding
H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); D. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm)
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection of Asian Art
1979.117
The interest in metalwork and the use of gold and silver in Tang-period China illustrate the impact of foreign ideas and art forms on the culture. Two different ways of representing landscapes appear on this bowl. The decoration on the rim, featuring a wide variety of animals racing through stylized flora, derives from native Chinese traditions. The more structured floral arabesques within the lotus petals on the sides of the bowl originate in Persian and Central Asian art. The bowl was shaped by hammering a sheet of silver into this form and then additional hammering produced the designs. The vines, flowers, birds, and animals were covered with gilding, much of which has worn away over time.
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