My posts on Shimao attracted a bit attention. In fact, also on the east edge of the steppe, in 6th c AD, arose a city which can be truly called the first cosmopolitan metropolis in Chinese history. It's the capital city of Northern Wei, founded by proto-Mongolian Xianbei people.
My posts on Shimao attracted a bit attention. In fact, also on the east edge of the steppe, in 6th c AD, arose a city which can be truly called the first cosmopolitan metropolis in Chinese history. It's the capital city of Northern Wei, founded by proto-Mongolian Xianbei people.
My posts on Shimao attracted a bit attention. In fact, also on the east edge of the steppe, in 6th c AD, arose a city which can be truly called the first cosmopolitan metropolis in Chinese history. It's the capital city of Northern Wei, founded by proto-Mongolian Xianbei people.
Here're a couple of objects which help to pin down the close connections of the city (Pingcheng, today Datong) with Eurasian world. First, as a people originating on the steppe, the Xianbei nobility got their nomadic way of life painted in their tombs: yurts, tent carts, BBQ ...
Here're a couple of objects which help to pin down the close connections of the city (Pingcheng, today Datong) with Eurasian world. First, as a people originating on the steppe, the Xianbei nobility got their nomadic way of life painted in their tombs: yurts, tent carts, BBQ ...
Here're a couple of objects which help to pin down the close connections of the city (Pingcheng, today Datong) with Eurasian world. First, as a people originating on the steppe, the Xianbei nobility got their nomadic way of life painted in their tombs: yurts, tent carts, BBQ ...
After Xianbei rulers converted to Buddhism & made it a state religion, they imported Buddhist art from all across the Silk Road, not just Central Asia, but NW & South China. L: A head excavated at the site of a royal pagoda in the city. R: similar head found in Karasahr, Xinjiang
After Xianbei rulers converted to Buddhism & made it a state religion, they imported Buddhist art from all across the Silk Road, not just Central Asia, but NW & South China. L: A head excavated at the site of a royal pagoda in the city. R: similar head found in Karasahr, Xinjiang
After Xianbei rulers converted to Buddhism & made it a state religion, they imported Buddhist art from all across the Silk Road, not just Central Asia, but NW & South China. L: A head excavated at the site of a royal pagoda in the city. R: similar head found in Karasahr, Xinjiang
L: Buddha statue in one of the monumental cave chapels sponsored by Xianbei emperors on the city's outskirts (Yungang), dressed in Chinese-style robe & backed by a flaming halo derived from Zoroastrian worship of fire. R: similar statues in Central Asia were called "Buddha-Mazda"
L: Buddha statue in one of the monumental cave chapels sponsored by Xianbei emperors on the city's outskirts (Yungang), dressed in Chinese-style robe & backed by a flaming halo derived from Zoroastrian worship of fire. R: similar statues in Central Asia were called "Buddha-Mazda"
L: Buddha statue in one of the monumental cave chapels sponsored by Xianbei emperors on the city's outskirts (Yungang), dressed in Chinese-style robe & backed by a flaming halo derived from Zoroastrian worship of fire. R: similar statues in Central Asia were called "Buddha-Mazda"
L: Silver plate with a royal figure hunting boars, unearthed in the tomb of a high-ranking general, possibly a gift granted by the Northern Wei emperor. R: Plate from Afghanistan with an almost identical composition, made when Central Asia was under the rule of Sasanian Persia.
L: Silver plate with a royal figure hunting boars, unearthed in the tomb of a high-ranking general, possibly a gift granted by the Northern Wei emperor. R: Plate from Afghanistan with an almost identical composition, made when Central Asia was under the rule of Sasanian Persia.
L: Silver plate with a royal figure hunting boars, unearthed in the tomb of a high-ranking general, possibly a gift granted by the Northern Wei emperor. R: Plate from Afghanistan with an almost identical composition, made when Central Asia was under the rule of Sasanian Persia.
Left is a guardian figure inside a tomb at Pingcheng, with a third eye in the forehead & a trident (?) in his hand, which resembles a 3rd-c image of the god Shiva (R) uncovered in Central Asia, in both style & appearance.
Left is a guardian figure inside a tomb at Pingcheng, with a third eye in the forehead & a trident (?) in his hand, which resembles a 3rd-c image of the god Shiva (R) uncovered in Central Asia, in both style & appearance.
Left is a guardian figure inside a tomb at Pingcheng, with a third eye in the forehead & a trident (?) in his hand, which resembles a 3rd-c image of the god Shiva (R) uncovered in Central Asia, in both style & appearance.
L: Hellenistic-style gilded wine cup decorated with a woman holding a drinking vessel & acanthus leaves, discovered in the foundation of a building at Pingcheng. R: A stem cup from Afganistan or Central Asia. Both the products of Hellenistic art related to the cult of Dionysus.
L: Hellenistic-style gilded wine cup decorated with a woman holding a drinking vessel & acanthus leaves, discovered in the foundation of a building at Pingcheng. R: A stem cup from Afganistan or Central Asia. Both the products of Hellenistic art related to the cult of Dionysus.
L: Hellenistic-style gilded wine cup decorated with a woman holding a drinking vessel & acanthus leaves, discovered in the foundation of a building at Pingcheng. R: A stem cup from Afganistan or Central Asia. Both the products of Hellenistic art related to the cult of Dionysus.
Finally, an example of the presence of Chinese art in Pingcheng. A painted lacquer screen from tomb of a Chinese minister, whose father defected from South China. The image on it echoes that in The Admonition Scroll, a masterpiece of Chinese painting attributed to Gu Kaizhi (4C).
Finally, an example of the presence of Chinese art in Pingcheng. A painted lacquer screen from tomb of a Chinese minister, whose father defected from South China. The image on it echoes that in The Admonition Scroll, a masterpiece of Chinese painting attributed to Gu Kaizhi (4C).
Finally, an example of the presence of Chinese art in Pingcheng. A painted lacquer screen from tomb of a Chinese minister, whose father defected from South China. The image on it echoes that in The Admonition Scroll, a masterpiece of Chinese painting attributed to Gu Kaizhi (4C).
Finally, an example of the presence of Chinese art in Pingcheng. A painted lacquer screen from tomb of a Chinese minister, whose father defected from South China. The image on it echoes that in The Admonition Scroll, a masterpiece of Chinese painting attributed to Gu Kaizhi (4C).
Some objects have been shown for the first time in this new exhibition:
https://www.ahm.cn/News/Details/tzgg?nid=10790

Images of others can be found in these two great catalogues:

https://yalebooks.co.uk/display.asp?k=9780300179675

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/metpublications/China_Dawn_of_a_Golden_Age_200_750_AD
Unearthed by Annette Juliano

In recent decades archaeological discoveries across northern China have brought to light unexpected and significant works of extraordinary beauty. These artifacts express the dynamic changes taking...

https://www.ahm.cn/News/Details/tzgg?nid=10790
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