Bottle

About the Art

The Tang dynasty was cosmopolitan in part due to the thriving Silk Road trade route that reached as far as Europe. Art made during the period often incorporated forms and designs from other cultures. For example, this bottle is based on a shape from India. The design of grapes and vines with lions can be traced back to the Middle East and Mediterranean and is associated with the Manichean religion, which came to Tang China about 694 CE. This was gifted by Julia Shaw Patterson Carnell, but reportedly acquired for her in China by fellow DAI founder Brainerd Thresher.

FEATURED IMAGE
Artist(s) unknown (China, Tang dynasty, 618–907), Bottle, early 8th century, silver with gold gilding, 7 1/2 x 3 x 3 inches (19.1 x 7.6 x 7.6 cm). Gift of Mrs. Harrie G. Carnell, 1935.23