Object Description
A finely modelled hollow terracotta two-humped bactrian camel from the Tang dynasty, shown in a dynamic pose, possibly in the act of standing up. The mammal is kneeling on a polygonal base, balancing its body weight on its bent front legs while keeping the back legs straight. The camel is heavily laden with saddle bags carrying popular items used in the ancient Silk Road trade, such as vessels and silks. The camel’s anatomical and facial features are naturalistic rendered with recessed alert eyes and nostrils painted in a reddish pink and black pigments. Its mouth is presented open, showing individual detailed teeth. Red Thick shaggy fur is visible from below the camel’s chest and terminates under the neck, accompanied by a thick mane of styled hair between its ears.
This piece is accompanied by a positive thermoluminescence analysis report no.C122k20 from Oxford Authentication.
Date: Circa 618-907 AD