Camel and Rider
Tang dynasty (618–907), first half of 8th century
Medium
Earthenware with three-color (sancai) lead glazes
Dimensions
86.3 × 66 × 25.5 cm (34 × 26 × 10 in.)
Classification
earthenware
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
32532
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Sculptors of tomb figures keenly observed and then skillfully rendered in clay the caravans of Bactrian camels. These animals were led by grooms who hailed from the Taklamakan Desert located in China’s northwestern border regions. In Tang-dynasty China, camels were novelties, considered auspicious because their packs carried valuable goods from the West.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...