Frozen in time: a Tang Dynasty orchestra, seven men held various musical instruments; a woman sang and danced. Their stage is on the back of a camel, the culture of the era captured within the square inch.
National Treasure 国宝
Sancai Pottery Performers on Camelback 三彩载乐骆驼俑
Pottery | Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) | Dimensions – H: 58mm, L: 43mm | Shaanxi History Museum, Excavated from the Western Suburbs of Xi’an City in 1959. 陶瓷｜唐（公元618年一907年）｜高58厘米，长43厘米｜陕西历史博物馆，1959年西安市西郊中堡村唐墓出土
Sancai Pottery Performers on Camelback 三彩载乐骆驼俑 was discovered in a Tang tomb at the Western suburbs of Chang’an (modern day Xi’an), and is one of the finest example of Sancai ware from that period. It is one of the 195 pieces of relics and antiques in China that has been designated by the State that cannot travel outside of China “中国禁止出国（境）展览的195件文物名录”.
People came to refer to this type of pottery as Tang San Cai, meaning “the tri-coloured glazed pottery of Tang”. It was invented more than 1,300 years ago and is regarded as one of the masterpieces of Chinese ceramic art. The ceramics have a characteristic ‘running’ finish, with the colours mingling and flowing together creating an effect much loved by connoisseurs.
Archaeological evidence shows that initially Sancai ware was exclusively manufactured for the Imperial elite who used the pieces as tomb objects. The original funerary pieces were often made in the form of animals such as camels and horses, as well as human figurines.
The origins of Tang sancai – polychrome lead-glazed decorated Tang dynasty pottery – were in the northern Chinese cities of Shaanxi and Luoyang and for the most part the process used varying shades of yellow, green and white, earning the nickname ‘egg and spinach’ in the west, although other colours were used.
The versatile performers from all around the world came to the open Tang, heartily showing their praise and pursuit of the good and peaceful life. This piece depicts a touring orchestra, seven sitting male performers in Chinese dress playing ancient Chinese and foreign instruments while a female singer standing in the middle. This art work exhibits great originality and ingenuity of the artist.
Here are two musical instruments that did not originate from China, and most likely brought to China on the Silk Road.
Raden Shitan no Gogen Biwa 螺钿紫檀五弦琵琶
Instrument | Tang Emperor Xuangzhong (r. 712-756 AD), Emperor Tenno | Dimensions – L: 108cm, W: 30.9cm | Nara Shōsō-in Collection. 乐器｜唐玄宗年间（r. 712年—756年），天平勝宝8年入库（公元756年）｜长 108公分，宽 30.9公分｜奈良正倉院藏
This ancient 5-string pipa is the only one left in the world, and it was a gift from Tang Emperor Xuanzhong 唐玄宗 李隆基 (685—762 AD) to Japanese Emperor Shomu 聖武天皇 Shōmu-tennō (701–756 AD). This instrument is featured on the walls of Dunhuang Grottoes, and is unique because it is 5-string instead of 4-string modern day pipa. This instrument originated from Persia.
Ancient Harp Named “Yaylig” Belonging to Chure
Wood, leather | Turkic period (6th-8th century) | National Museum of Mongolia, Excavated from Mankhan, Khovd aimag
This is one of the foreign instrument that was featured. This musical instrument was named Yaylig in ancient Turkic language or 箜篌 in Chinese (in Mongolian “Ayalguut” or “melody”).
About Chinese National Treasure Series
中華國寶系列 Chinese National Treasure series feature specific artefacts and relics from museums all around the world that are historically significant to be considered a National Treasure. The series covers the 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation from Neolithic periods before the Xia dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BC) to modern day.
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