Lot 92
East Asia, China, Tang Dynasty, ca. 618 to 907 CE. A charming, hollow, mold-made ceramic camel, standing proud with a long, curved neck and a pair of pointed humps covered by a saddle. Head dramatically thrust back in a noble yet realistic stance, the ancient animal presents large eyes and an elongated shout with delineated nostrils and a straight mouth. His naturalistic body features knobby legs, a swollen belly, and a sinuous tail that sways to one side as thought swatting away a fly. This camel was made to be a tomb figure, known as mingqi. Tang dynasty elites had underground tombs full of pottery figures that were made to care for their every need in the afterlife. Size: 14" L x 5.7" W x 24" H (35.6 cm x 14.5 cm x 61 cm)
The art of the Tang Dynasty is truly international, reflecting a world in which the Chinese court spread its influence through military conquest and trade to Central Asia, India, Persia, Africa, and southeastern Asia. In this prosperous period, Tang elites imitated the style of the Persians, wearing high boots, short tunics, and leopard skin hats. Music, sport, and dance all emulated Central Asian styles and made them their own.
Nothing is more representative of this cultural milieu than the figure of the Bactrian camel who, with his saddle bags, carried so many of these goods and, by extension, practices east and west along the Silk Road. Travelling west from the Tang capital, Chang'an, the Silk Road passed through Taklamakan Desert. The Bactrian camel was vital to this transport because of its abilities -- to go without water for a week, to travel 30 miles a day, and to carry hundreds of pounds, as well as to withstand very hot and very cold temperatures.
Cf. Ashmolean Museum Oxford, accession number EA2012.189.
Provenance: private Constance McCormick Fearing estate, Montecito, California, USA, acquired before 2004
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#180983
- Condition: Professionally repaired and restored, but all done very well with no visible break lines and difficult to notice restoration. Expected surface wear as shown. Otherwise, very nice presentation and liberal remaining pigments. Heavy earthen encrustations throughout.
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