Silk Road Luxuries from China

Amphora

Northern China, late Sui or early Tang dynasty, first half of 7th century
Stoneware with applied decoration and transparent greenish glaze
Purchase
Freer Gallery of Art F1943.4

This stoneware vase with a transparent greenish glaze combines artistic traditions from west and east. The amphora shape of a large oval body, narrow cylindrical neck, and tall handles attests to the presence of Mediterranean and Central Asian influences that began to enrich Chinese ceramics in the sixth century. A pair of powerful dragons biting into the rim to form the handles is a purely Chinese design motif.