Tang pottery brings to life the rich cultural exchanges of the Silk Road in a new exhibition at Da Xiang Ceramic Museum, Zhengzhou.
On July 12, the Da Xiang Ceramic Museum in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, opened its latest exhibition: Journey to the West – Silk Road Civilisation in Tang Ceramics. Nearly 100 ceramic and porcelain artefacts from the Tang dynasty are on display, many shown to the public for the first time.
Figurines That Speak
At the exhibition, a striking lineup of camel figurines greets visitors. They seem like messengers from a thousand years ago, each with a unique posture and style. One standout piece is a painted grey pottery figure of a Sogdian riding a kneeling camel. The camel lowers its head, with front legs folded beneath it, calm and gentle in demeanour. The rider, with deep-set eyes and a tall pointed hat, wears a close-fitting robe with sharp lapels. A wine flask and water jug hang at his side, adding vivid detail to the scene.
During the Tang dynasty, the Silk Road was more than a trade route. It served as a vibrant stage for cultural and religious exchange between the East and the West.
Qi Yuejin, Director of the Shaanxi Tang Sancai Art Museum, describes these ceramics as “time capsules” of Silk Road civilisation. They blend the grandeur of Buddhism with the mystery of Zoroastrianism, showing how the Silk Road reshaped human ideas about death and eternity.
The exhibition also highlights how mutual exchange shaped ancient civilisations. While Central Asian people absorbed elements of Chinese culture, the Han Chinese embraced foreign music, dance, and clothing in return.
Written by Chen Wang, additional reporting by CNS.
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