Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
China, Room 44, The T.T. Tsui Gallery

Bowl

800-900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Silver objects were not as highly coveted in China as in other ancient civilisations such as the Roman or the Parthian, but they became important luxury items for emperors and high-ranking officials during the Tang dynasty (AD 618-960). By the beginning of the 7th century large quantities of silver pieces with exotic shapes and styles were imported along the Silk Road from Iran and Central Asia to China. Chinese craftsmen often reproduced foreign shapes and acquired new manufacturing techniques from Central Asian silversmiths who had settled in Chinese urban centres beginning in the mid 7th century.

The shape of this five-lobed bowl was probably influenced by Sasanian silver items and was also imitated in ceramic.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver
Brief description
Silver bowl, China, Tang dynasty, ca. 800-900
Physical description
Silver five-lobed bowl with a flat bottom and large spreading hollow foot.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 12cm
Gallery label
Bowl with foliate rim Tang dynasty 800-900 Chased silver Museum no. M.37-1935(2007)
Credit line
Purchased with Art Fund support, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee
Summary
Silver objects were not as highly coveted in China as in other ancient civilisations such as the Roman or the Parthian, but they became important luxury items for emperors and high-ranking officials during the Tang dynasty (AD 618-960). By the beginning of the 7th century large quantities of silver pieces with exotic shapes and styles were imported along the Silk Road from Iran and Central Asia to China. Chinese craftsmen often reproduced foreign shapes and acquired new manufacturing techniques from Central Asian silversmiths who had settled in Chinese urban centres beginning in the mid 7th century.

The shape of this five-lobed bowl was probably influenced by Sasanian silver items and was also imitated in ceramic.
Bibliographic reference
Rose Kerr (ed.) Chinese Art and Design. The T.T.Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art, London: Victoria and Albert Museum, p. 58, fig. 19
Collection
Accession number
M.37-1935

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Record createdJune 15, 2000
Record URL
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