A pottery mold for a sculpture representing a Malay man from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It was unearthed from a construction site at Yangzhou Agriculture College.    

A silver bowl with Makara designs from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It was unearthed from the tomb of Wang, wife of Chen Yuantong of the Tang Dynasty.

 

Chinese ancient art does not always feature Chinese characteristics. The art can be western with carefully carved western faces or decorated patterns, due to cultural exchanges through land and sea Silk Roads.

Some creative pieces can be found within the “Sailing Far and Wide on the Sea: Exhibition of Treasures from the Maritime Silk Road” at the Capital Museum in Beijing from April 25 to June 22, 2014.

Four sections of the show bring together important Maritime Silk Road remnants from seven coastal provinces in China, such as porcelain, statues, ornaments, and even a hand-painted map that rebuilds a glorious picture of thousands of miles of sea voyages ranging from ancient China to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Let’s take a look at the Chinese ancient art with western styles that still considered beautiful to this day.