Artwork Page for Silver Vessels

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Silver Vessels

c. late 600s–early 700s

Central Asia (Sogdiana) or Tibet

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Medium
Silver with gilded foil
Measurements
Part 1: 22.9 cm (9 in.); Part 2: 10.2 x 10.2 cm (4 x 4 in.); Part 3: 500 g (1.1 lbs.)
Weight: 380 g (13.4 oz.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1988.67
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

These banquet items may have been made specifically to be buried alongside a deceased person for use in the afterlife.

Description

These vessels attest to the international climate that pervaded the regions of China, Tibet, and Central Asia during the time of the expansionist Tang dynasty (618–907). They are ornamented predominantly with Central Asian elements, including grape vines, beaded borders, heart-shaped motifs, and real and fantastic creatures. Stylistically, the Tibetan objects resemble the metalwork of Sogdian craftspeople, who came from the regions of modern-day Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and settled across Asia. These artists are known to have specialized in the technique of offsetting the silver repoussé design with gilded foil, using heat and pressure to adhere the foil to the silver surface of the vessel.
Three gilt-silver vessels are arranged side-by-side. To our left, a bulbous vase features raised silver figures and scrolling vines against its gilded surface. In the center sits a cylindrical cup with two stacked ring handles. On our right, a curved drinking horn tapers into an animal head. Each piece is adorned with intricate foliage and stylized patterns in silver relief, contrasting with the warm gilded foil background.

Silver Vessels

c. late 600s–early 700s

Central Asia (Sogdiana) or Tibet

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