floresoleil

This book presents 90 gold and silver wares selected from the collections of Shaanxi history Museum which were discovered in the archeological sites of Shaanxi province where Xi'an is its metropolis. These wares include from the ornaments to daily necessities, while the time is from the period of Spring and Autumn (770-450 BC) to the Tang Dynasty(618-907). Specially, in the viewpoint of craftsmanship, the gold and silver production modeling process of the Tang Dynasty had arrived to a prosperous heyday.
Firstly about the process of making. As other materials, such as bronze, lacquer, ceramics, jade, glass, colored graze, the gold and the silver craft making is more complex and sophisticated, including gilt, welding, inlay, flat chisel, filigree, engraving and other technology.
Secondly about the shapes of wares. Variously, many of them have the shapes of flower, petal, octagon, plant or animal.
Finally about the patterns on the wares. As the contents, the flowers and birds, spiritual animals, auspicious beats and figures are mostly presented.
Undeniably, the high quality of craftsmanship and the imagination of patterns make the gold and silver pieces so elegant and mysterious, which fully embodies the high quality of life in that time. Very important is their deep reflects of the artisans' pursuit for the aesthetic tastes and of people's pursuit both for the culture life and the spirit.
In particularly, those collections present not only the culture of central plain, but also the culture of Huns and of western areas. The discoveries in the Huns tomes in Shaanxi show an unique charming 'Erdos-style' by animal carvings and plates ornaments. The gold and silver wares unearthed from Hejia Village's cellar and Famen Temple reflect the handicrafts in the Tang Dynasty influenced by the technique and the patterns of 'Badge-pattern style' from Sogdian, Persian Sassanid, and East Roman. The gold and silver art impact even the lifestyle of Tang as a mixed culture.
Let us enjoy together these wonderful works.