Exhibition Label:
"Nature/Natural," Feb-2011, Kris Ercums
During the height of the Tang dynasty, camels were often referred to as “ships of the desert,” for they carried an assortment of exotic commodities across the Eurasian trade route known as the Silk Road. In addition to the commercial goods transported along this important intercontinental passage, ideas and information were also disseminated by the network of oasis trading posts. One of the most important examples of the transmission of ideas was the spread of Buddhism from kingdoms like Gandhara (located in present-day Afghanistan) across Central Asia to new metropolitan centers in China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. This tomb figure was probably included in the burial chamber of a trader who had made his living plying goods across the great barren expanses of inner Asia. Similarly, it was most likely intended to carry the deceased’s goods into the spirit realm of the afterlife.
Exhibition Label:
"Echoes of Human Migration in the Collection of the Spencer Museum of Art," Mar-2010
During the height of the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE) camels were often referred to as “ships of the desert,” for they carried an assortment of exotic commodities across the Eurasian trade route known as the Silk Road. In addition to the commercial goods transported along this important intercontinental passage, ideas and information were also disseminated by the network of oasis trading posts. One of the most important examples of the transmission of ideas was the spread of Buddhism from kingdoms like Gandhara (located in present-day Afghanistan) across Central Asia to new metropolitan centers in China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. This tomb figure was probably included in the burial chamber of a trader who had made his living plying goods across the great barren expanses of inner Asia. Similarly, it was most likely intended to carry the deceased’s goods into the spirit realm of the afterlife.
Exhibition Label:
"Images of the Journey," Jun-2005, Hillary Pedersen
"The camel...manifests its merit in dangerous places; it has secret understanding of springs and sources; subtle indeed is its knowledge."
-Guo Pu, 3rd c. CE (tr. E.H. Schafer)
Bactrian camels, the two-humped camels of Central Asia, are known for their ability to withstand extreme weather conditions, making them ideal for journeys across the various types of terrain and climate found throughout the Gobi Desert. As pack animals, they can also carry more than 350 pounds and can attain speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. This terra cotta figure was made during the Tang dynasty, when travel across the Silk Road flourished. Figures like these were placed in tombs as substitutions for real animals so that their role as part of the deceased’s entourage would continue even into the afterlife.
Archive Label:
By the late seventh and early eighth century, tomb figurines in China eached the zenith of their artistic development. Human and animal figures became more individualized and realistic. Displaying an increased sense of movement, their bodies were now conceived in the round. This camel is represented in a walking pose with its head and long neck raised high and its legs steadied under a heavy load. The artist has devoted much attention to depicting realistic details such as the expressive face and the rope securing the pack. Central Asian subjects such as the camel became popular during the T'ang period, when there was a great deal of trade and communication with regions west of China.
