Molded Appliqé Ornament
Unknown Artist
ca. 2nd–5th century
Medium
Khotanese earthenware
Dimensions
H. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm); W. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
West China
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1930
Accession Number
30.32.32
Art Historical Context
This delicate **Molded Appliqué Or**, crafted from Khotanese earthenware around the 2nd–5th centuries CE, offers a glimpse into the vibrant artistry of ancient West China. Measuring just 2¼ inches (5.7 cm) in height and width, this small sculpture likely served as a decorative attachment for pottery vessels or architectural elements, showcasing the region's skilled ceramic traditions along the Silk Road trade routes. The technique of molding and appliqué—pressing a shaped clay form onto a surface before firing—highlights the ingenuity of Khotanese potters. Earthenware from Khotan, in modern-d...