Silver Kettle with Pattern of Dancing Horse Holding Cup in Mouth

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With refifi ned pattern, Silver Kettle with Pattern of Dancing Horse Holding Cup in Mouth boasts unique shape. It shapes like leather bag-shaped kettle used by the northern ethnic groups during the same period. It is not only easy to carry in military life, but also is handy for daily use. Decoration design is dancing horse celebrating the birthday of Emperor Xuan of the Tang Dynasty. Silver Kettle with Pattern of Dancing Horse Holding Cup in Mouth has round body and the cover in the shape of downward-overlaying lotus petal on the mouth. Cover top and bow-shaped handle are linked with wheat ear silver chain. On this silver white pot, bow-shaped handle, cover and horse on the body are all gilt with gold to add luster to the body, with harmonious and brilliant colors.

Li Longji (Emperor Xuan of the Tang Dynasty) built Dancing Horse Platform in Huaqing Palace for horse trainers to tame the horses offered by the Western Regions. On the Emperor’s birthday in every early August, these horses put on beautiful brocade, hung golden bells on neck, tied with precious gems on mane, and danced in the music accompaniment to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday. These are so-called “dancing horses”. After “An Lushan’s Rebellion” broke out, these horses fall into the hands of An Lushan, which was later resold to the warlord Tian Chengsi. Vulgar Tian Chengsi fed them as ordinary horses. One day, soldiers were rewarded. When music sounded, dancing horses could not help dancing with the rhythm. Tian Chengsi believed these horses were bewitched, and ordered his soldiers to indiscriminately thrash these horses. In surprise, the horses danced powerfully under more powerful thrash. With misunderstanding, such horses were more dedicated to dance. As a result, under cruel whipping, these dancing horses all died.

Goldware and silverware

Goldware and silverware refer to the utensils, accessories and other objects processed with precious gold and silver as the basic raw materials. Gold resists to oxidation, rust, which is not soluble in acid with strong extensibility. In this regard, silver is better than gold. Silver has great reserves, so it is not as precious as gold. Production of goldware covers melting, model casting, hammering die, welding, blasting bead, engraving, spinning, knitting, filigree, inlaying and other techniques. Hammering die refers to using hammer to knock gold bullion, make gold bullion extended into pieces, and form a variety of types according to the requirements.

Arts and crafts of the Tang Dynasty

The Tang Dynasty was the peak period of China’s feudal society, and arts and crafts were very developed. Dyeing, ceramics, goldware and silverware, lacquerware and wood craft moved toward prosperity. Artistry, technical level and production scale of artworks leaped far beyond those in previous dynasties, and ushered in highly mature golden age. Creation style was broad, innovative and brilliant with diverse style and lively fun. Arts and Crafts of the Tang Dynasty have far-reaching impact on future generations.