Seated Bactrian Camel
Chinese
Description
Subject Matter:
An earthenware mingqi (明器), or "bright object", figure of a Bactrian camel of the Tang dynasty (618-906).
During the stable and peaceful Tang Dynasty, the Silk Road brought exotic luxury goods to China, including metalwork, glass, precious stones, ivory, and textiles from Central Asian, India, and the Middle East. The bustling Tang capital of Chang’an (modern Xi’an) was a bit like the Paris and New York of today in its cosmopolitan mix of peoples, cultures, music, foods, and goods, especially from Central Asia. Camels were the primary vehicle to travel through the deserts along the silk road. Native to Central Asia, they represent a sense of exoticism and luxury showing the wealth, status, and sophistication of the tomb occupant.
Since the Qin dynasty (221 - 206 BCE), ceramic figures have been used to replace human and animal sacrifice in burial practices as a way to provide for the deceased. The number of ceramic mingqi items in a tomb could reach numbers of a few to several hundred objects.
Physical Description:
An earthenware bactrian camel seated on bent legs, head raised, with saddle and gear. It is painted with polychrome mineral pigments.
Usage Rights:
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