Camel. Chinese culture, Tang dynasty. 618 - 907 A.D.

Camel. Chinese culture, Tang dynasty. 618 - 907 AD.
In glazed ceramic.
Measurements: 47 x 37 x 21 cm.

Standing camel in terracotta with tricolor glaze called "Sancai". This beautifully finished ceramic camel was made during what many consider to be China's Golden Age, the Tang Dynasty. It was at this point that China's outstanding technological and aesthetic achievements were opened to outside influences, resulting in the introduction of numerous new forms of self-expression, along with internal innovation and considerable social freedom. The Tang dynasty also saw the birth of the printed novel, an important musical and theatrical heritage, and many of China's best-known painters and artists. It came into existence on June 18, 618 AD, when the Li family seized power from the last remnants of the previous Sui dynasty. This political and royal regime was long-lasting and lasted almost 300 years. The imperial aspirations of the earlier periods and the early Tang leaders led to unprecedented wealth, resulting in considerable socio-economic stability, the development of trade networks and vast urbanization for China's growing population (estimated at around 50 million people in the 8th century AD). The Tang rulers followed the signs of earlier periods and kept many of their administrative structures and systems intact. Even when dynastic and governmental institutions withdrew from the management of the empire toward the end of the period (their authority was undermined by localized rebellions and regional governors known as jiedushi), the systems were so well established that they continued to function anyway.