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China: Dawn of a Golden Age, 200–750 AD
October 12, 2004–January 23, 2005
Special Exhibition Galleries, The Tisch Galleries, 2nd floor
Chinese civilization underwent a major transformation during the period spanning the turn of the third century (Late Han dynasty) to the mid-eighth century (High Tang dynasty) as a result of the massive immigration of people from Northern Asia into China and extensive trade contacts with all parts of Asia. This landmark exhibition tells the story of Chinese art and culture during this formative period, focusing especially on East–West cross-cultural interchange. Comprising some three hundred objects—the majority of them recent archaeological finds—this is one of the largest exhibitions ever to come out of mainland China. While most of the objects are Chinese works of art, the exhibition also presents gold artifacts of the nomadic peoples from Mongolia, who entered North China after the collapse of the Han dynasty, and luxury articles of glass and precious metals imported from western and Central Asia during the fourth to sixth centuries. Some of the most famous early Chinese Buddhist sculptures are also on view, as well as a spectacular assemblage of works in every medium from the Tang period, interpreted as the culmination of several centuries of cultural exchange and adaptation.
The exhibition and its accompanying catalogue are made possible by The Starr Foundation.
Additional support for education programs has been provided by The Freeman Foundation.
Support for the catalogue has also been provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
An indemnity has been granted by the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.
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