9. Gold Bowl with Mandarin Ducks and Lotus Petals
Age: Tang Dynasty
Height:5.5cm; Diameter of Mouth:13.7cm; Diameter of Base:6.7cm
Unearthed in 1970 at Hejiacun, Xi’an
This bowl was hammered into shape. Outside is engraved with two layers of lotus petal designs, and each layer has ten petals. The upper layer was engraved with various designs: fox, rabbit, river deer, deer, parrot, Mandarin duck, flower and straw. The lower layer was decorated with honeysuckle. There is a rose carved on its inner base, and on its inner belly, there were three characters “Jiu Liang Ban” written in ink.
Two identical gold bowls alike were unearthed in 1970 at Hejiacun, Xi’an. On the outer surface is engraved with two layers of lotus petal designs and each layer has ten petals. There are different patterns engraved inside each lotus petal. In the lotus petals on the upper layer are engraved with animal patterns like Mandarin ducks, mallards, parrots and foxes. In the lotus petals on the lower layer are engraved with flowers and grass. Inside each bowl is written with three Chinese characters meaning the bowl weighs nine and a half liang (one Liang equals 50 grams).
10. Musicians on Camel Back
Height:58cm
Age: Tang Dynasty
Unearthed in 1959 at Niubo Village, Xi'an
A tri-colored glazed pottery of a camel and a dance group was unearthed in a Tang general's tomb. The camel is brown and stands with its head raised high. The long hairs on its head, chest, stomach and upper parts of its two front legs were carefully executed. On the camel's back is a platform covered by a rug. Seven male musicians carrying musical instruments like shengs, flutes, pi pas, kongs, hous, and clappers sit on the blanket, with a female singer standing in the middle of them. They are all clad in Han-ethnic attire, yet the musical instruments they hold are all from ethnic groups in West China. This artwork is the result of the cultural exchanges along the Silk Road in the open Tang Dynasty.
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