Pin
618-906
Medium
Decorative Arts-Jewelry
Classification
Decorative Arts-Jewelry
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly
Accession Number
1929.8.575.1
Art Historical Context
This elegant pin, dating to the Tang Dynasty (618–906 CE), hails from a golden age of Chinese artistry when the empire flourished as a cultural crossroads of East and West. Crafted during an era of unprecedented prosperity, innovation, and international trade along the Silk Road, such jewelry pieces were prized personal adornments, often worn in elaborate hairstyles by the elite. The unidentified artisan's work exemplifies the Tang mastery of metalworking, blending functionality with opulent beauty. As a fine example of decorative arts in jewelry, this pin highlights the period's technical so...
About the Artist
Unidentified ( ) · –