Tang dynasty (618-906), About 720

The horseman turning back over his shoulder to shoot his bow while galloping at full speed is a design that came from the Persian Empire and was a popular motif throughout Central Asia and China for hundreds ...

Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), About 1450

Amitabha is the Buddha of Infinite Light, one of the most popular of the Buddhist gods. He lives in the Western Paradise (Sukhavati Paradise), the Pure Land he created, where the faithful pray to be reborn. ...

Warring States period, (475 BC - 221 BC), About 300 BC

"The Songs of Chu" is a collection of 3rd century B.C. poems from the south China state of Chu. It is a treasure trove of information about how the people lived at the time. For example, the poems reveal ...

Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), About 1300

A medium sized bottle with animal and floral scenes in underglaze cobalt blue

Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), About 1300

A medium size bottle with floral decoration in underglaze copper red

Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), About 1300

During his search for enlightenment, Sakyamuni spent many years traveling from one holy man to another seeking guidance. Lost in meditation for days at a time, he lived in the open and ate very little. ...

Northern Qi dynasty (550-577), 6th century

Standing figure of the Buddha carved from fine-grained dark blue/gray limestone. Simply attired in the outer robe of a monk covering both shoulders. Drapery cascades over shoulders, clinging to the figure ...

Tang dynasty (618-906), About 710

Horses were of tremendous importance to the ancient Chinese. Invested with sanctity by tradition and revered as a relative of the dragon, the horse became an instrument of military and diplomatic policy, ...

Zhou dynasty (1027-221 BC), Warring States Period (475-221 BC), About 350 BC

This bronze "Hu" was likely used to hold wine and offerings and could have been placed on or near an altar during ceremonies to remember the ancestors.

Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), About AD 100

Tomb tiles were used as doors and to line the walls of tombs in Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220) China. Cheaper than carving blocks of stone, tiles could be easily formed and then decorated with designs ...