CHINE, DYNASTIE TANG (618-907)

The Tang dynasty is undoubtedly one of the most artistically exciting periods in China's long history. The arts are characterized by their diversity, cosmopolitan nature of their design and by the high technical skill employed in their manufacture as this pottery example amply demonstrates. In the first half of this dynasty, up to the An Lushan rebellion of A.D. 756, the level of luxury enjoyed by the court and the Tang elite ensured the production of a wide range of goods of the highest quality. As China prospered as a result of trade with the west along the famous Silk Road, camels became increasingly important for the transport of wares, since these impressive animals could carry heavy loads over long distances, surviving several days without water. As their large and broad feet did not sink easily into the sand, they became known as 'the ships of the desert'. Many camels were imported from the states of the Tarim basin, Eastern Turkmenistan and Mongolia and are known as Bactrian camels. The Tang civil servants created a special office to supervise their breeding and services. It seems that no pottery examples showing Chinese Han riders have been excavated. Perhaps only these Central Asian foreigners were able to tame and guide the camels.