The bird-head shaped bottleneck traces back to the Sassanian Persia. This style was introduced to China in the late 6^th century and became popular in Sui and Tang dynasty. It was excavated from Turfan region, showing the influence of Tang culture. 

Provenance: Halahezhuo, Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur, China

Materials: Ceramics

Dimensions: H. 27, W. 16.5cm

Accession Number: Bongwan 4034

This hemispherical bowl with a small concave base comes from N cemetery, tomb 402, in Aniba and is typical of C-Group ceramic production. This form, shaped by hand, with slightly curved in rim, is the most common of this period with infinite combinations of various incised decorative lines: stripes, diamonds and zigzag. The vases are fired in a reduction atmosphere to give it a beautiful black slipware gloss and the engraved motives, for emphasis, are filled with a white paste.

The Silla golden crown symbolized the power and authority of kings. The tree-shaped and antler shaped decorations on the crown frames, along with comma-shaped jades and spangles, exemplify the high degree of ornamentation. This gold crown was excavated from the North tomb of Hwangnamdaechong in Gyeongju. This crown was probably not intended for practical uses but served as a ceremonial object.

Materials: Gold 

Measurements: Height 27.3cm  

Consisting of 53.6 grams of gold, it has a large dragon in the center surrounded by six smaller dragons. The large dragon was made with relatively large grains of gold to make it stand out, with the face exaggerated in expression. Originally 41 small blue gems studded the space between the large dragon and smaller ones but only seven now remain. It is designated as Korean National Treasure No. 89. This belt buckle made of pure gold is decorated with the granulation technique and features gold wire filigree around the edge.

Eleven gold bracelets measuring 7.5cm or so in diameter were found in a wooden coffin in the mound. Five bracelets were on the right arm of the corse and six on the left. One bracelet from the left arm is very ornate whereas the other ten are of the more usual solid ring type made by bending a rod into a circle. The ornate bracelet was made by bending a long wide strip of gold into a circle and rolling the edges over. The outer surface is divided into eight sections decorated with two alternating patterns that include turquoise and gold filigree.

Silla glassware has been recovered mainly from large tombs in the Gyeongju area such as Hwangnamdaechong, Cheonmachong, Geumnyeongchong and Seobongchong, all 5th-6th century tombs of royalty or powerful ruling class figure. Like gold crowns and gold belts that were possessed only by a certain class of people. the presence of glassware in the tomb also indicates that the owner was a politically and socially powerful person.

The glass industry is deeply rooted in the history of Bilad al-Sham. This industry continued in progress and refinement throughout the Arab conquest and the Islamic ages. Dr. Adel Zaitoun mentions in his book, The Economical Relations between the East and the West during the Middle Ages, that the most important products exchanged between the Italian republics and the Crusader kingdoms founded in Bilad al-Sham in the 13th century is none other than objects of glass.

This painting was discovered at the Astana Graves, which was the main burial site for aristocrats of the Turpan region from the 3rd - 8th centuries. The two conjoined figures are Fuxi and Nuwa, a brother and sister who, according to a Chinese foundation myth, were the only survivors of a great flood. Charged with repopulating the world, Fuxi and Nuwa created vast numbers of clay figures, which they were able to bring to life with some divine assistance.

Liao Dynasty, 10-12^th centuries

L24cm; W13cm

Yuki-tsumugi is a Japanese silk-weaving technique found principally in Yuki City and Oyama City, along the Kinu River, north of Tokyo. The region boasts a warm climate and fertile lands, which are ideal for the growth of mulberry trees and sericulture.