Tibet/West Asia or western China / Ornamental plaques / 6th?8th century

Tibet/West Asia or western China
Ornamental plaques
6th?8th century
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Creator Nationality: Asian; Far East Asian; Tibetan
Creator Dates/Places: Tibet/West Asia or western China
Creator Name-CRT: Tibet/West Asia or western China
Title: Ornamental plaques
View: Principal view
Creation Start Date: 500
Creation End Date: 799
Creation Date: 6th?8th century
Object Type: Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Materials and Techniques: Gold with turquoise inlay
Dimensions: 1 1/16 x 9/16 in. (2.6 x 1.4 cm)
Description:

This set of decorative plaques includes four nearly identical square pieces and one narrower rectangular form. On each of the plaques, beaded borders enclose finely granulated ground on which thin gold strips and turquoise inlays form a floral design. A braid made of gold threads extends between the borders and the design, composed on connected trefoils extending into the corners with a circle at the center.

Technically and stylistically, these plaques are typical of ornaments found at seventh- and eighth-century sites in eastern Central Asia and in the northwestern Chinese province of Qinghai. Chinese sources indicate that metalworking flourished in this region under Tibetan dominion during the seventh and eighth centuries. The use of the trefoil motif and granulation provides evidence of active cultural and trade contact between West Asia and China.

AMICA Contributor: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location: New York, New York
ID Number: 2000.442a-e
Credit Line: Purchase, Barbara and William Karatz Gift, 2000
Copyright: Copyright ? 2002 The Metropolitan Museum of Art . All rights reserved.
Rights: http://www.metmuseum.org/education/er_photo_lib.asp
AMICA ID: MMA_.2000.442a-e
AMICA Library Year: 2002
Media Metadata Rights: Copyright (c) 2002 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All Rights Reserved

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