Foliated mirror with birds and floral scrolls (detail), China, early or mid-Tang dynasty, late 7th–early 8th century, cast bronze and applied gold plaque with repoussé, chased, and ring-punched decoration, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, Freer Gallery of Art, F1930.45.

WASHINGTON DC - Located in northwest China, Chang’an (modern Xi’an) served as the gateway to the so-called Silk Road, overland trade routes that linked the prosperous Tang empire with Central, West, and South Asia. Foreign merchants joined Buddhist missionaries, diplomatic envoys, translators, craftsmen, entertainers, and other skilled immigrants to transform Chang’an into a cosmopolitan city. This wealthy, worldly hub offered a ready market for exotic imports, including silver and gold objects, delicate glassware, and even grape wine. To meet accelerating demand for stylish goods, local artisans translated foreign designs into a Chinese style.

Of all the travelers to Chang’an, the most successful group came from the distant kingdom of Sogdiana, located far to the west in modern Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. These Persian speakers seamlessly connected the cultural realms of China and Iran. While some traders and artisans traveled back and forth across Asia, others settled in China, where they helped fuel a fashion for Central Asian culture. One Sogdian community leader who died in China chose to be buried in a Sino-Sogdian manner and commissioned the funerary couch on view in this exhibition. Over time, the Sogdian population was gradually absorbed into Chinese society. Today, the Sogdians are regarded as a lost people.

Stemmed wine cup with floral scrolls, Early or mid-Tang dynasty.Probably Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China. Cast bronze with chased and ring-punched decoration and mercury gilding. H x W: 6.1 x 5.2 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1911.70. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution

Foliated mirror with Chang’e (the Moon goddess), hare, toad, tree, and clouds, Mid-Tang dynasty. Cast bronze. Diam x D: 14.9 x 0.9 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1911.116. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution

Lateral stretcher from the base of a funerary couch with Sogdian musicians and a dancer, Period of Division, Northern Qi dynasty. Probably Ce xian, Henan province, China. Grey marble with traces of pigment. H x W x D: 19.3 x 96.4 x 15.9 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1915.109. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution

Frontal from the base of a funerary couch with Sogdian musicians and dancers and Buddhist divinities, Period of Division, Northern Qi dynasty. Probably Ce xian, Henan province, China. Grey marble with traces of pigment. H x W x D: 60.3 x 234 x 23.5 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1915.110. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution

Lateral stretcher from the base of a funerary couch with Sogdian musicians and a dancer, Period of Division, Northern Qi dynasty. Probably Ce xian, Henan province, China. Grey marble with traces of pigment. H x W x D: 19.7 x 95.3 x 16.5 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1915.336. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution

Stemmed wine cup with floral scrolls, Mid-Tang dynasty, 8th century. Cast silver with chased and ring-punched decoration. H x Diam: 4.3 x 6.6 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1929.16. 

Lidded box in the form of a melon with grapevines and knob in the shape of a rodent, Early or mid-Tang dynasty, late 7th-early 8th century. probably Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China. Cast and hammered silver with chased and ring-punched decoration and leaf gilding. H x W: 6.4 x 5 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1930.39a-b. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution.

Small cup with cover, Tang dynasty, 9th century. Silver. H x Diam (assembled): 4.1 x 6.9 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1930.42a-b. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution.

Foliated mirror with birds and floral scrolls, Early or mid-Tang dynasty, late 7th-early 8th century. Cast bronze and applied gold plaque with repoussé, chased, and ring-punched decoration. Diam x D: 22.1 x 1.7 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1930.45. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution.

 Hinged cosmetic box in the form of a clam’s shell with birds and floral scrolls, Early or mid-Tang dynasty, late 7th-early 8th century. Probably Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China. Silver. H x W x D: 4.6 x 9.3 x 8.2 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1930.50a-b. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution.

 Wine cup with ring handle, birds, animals, and grape vines, Early Tang dynasty, late 7th century. Probably Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China. Cast and hammered silver with chased and ring-punched decoration and mercury gilding. H x W: 6.4 x 7.8 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1930.51. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution.

 Lobed bowl with lotus petals, birds, animals, and floral scrolls, Early or mid-Tang dynasty, ate 7th-early 8th century. Probably Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China. Hammered silver with repoussé, chased, and ring-punched decoration and mercury gilding. H x Diam: 5.6 x 14.6 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1931.8. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution.

Lidded container with birds and floral scrolls, Mid-Tang dynasty, early 8th century. Probably Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China. Cast, hammered, and turned silver with chased and ring-punched decoration and mercury gilding. H x W: 12.3 x 7.1 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1931.17a-b. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution.

Octagonal mirror with animals, flowerets, and floral scrolls, Early or mid-Tang dynasty, late 7th–first half of the 8th century. Cast bronze and applied gold plaque with repoussé, chased, and ring-punched decoration. Diam x D: 5.6 x 0.8 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1935.6a-b. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution.

Lobed mirror with a dragon and clouds, Mid-Tang dynasty, first half of the 8th century. Cast bronze. Diam x D: 21.5 x 1.2 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1938.8. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution.

Square mirror with floral medallion, plant sprays, birds, and insects, Middle Tang dynasty. 8th century. Cast bronze, gold and silver sheets with chased decoration, and lacquer. H x W x D: 15.9 x 15.9 x 1.1 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1944.8. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution.

Lobed ladle with floral scrolls, Early or mid-Tang dynasty, late 7th-early 8th century. Probably Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China. Hammered silver with repoussé, chased, and ring-punched decoration. H x W x D: 31 x 6.1 x 4.5 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1944.58. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution. 

Lobed mirror with birds, animals, and floral scrolls, Early or mid-Tang dynasty, late 7th–first half of the 8th century. Cast bronze and applied silver plaque with repoussé, chased, and ring-punched decoration and mercury gilding. Diam x D: 24.7 x 1.6 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1954.22. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution.

Covered box in the form of a six petalled flower with birds and floral scrolls, Mid-Tang dynasty, early 8th century. Probably Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China. Hammered silver with repoussé, chased, and ring-punched decoration and mercury gilding. H x W: 3 x 10.7 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Gift of the Honorable and Mrs. Hugh Scott, F1978.39a-b. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution.

Lobed bowl with lion, foliage and a ring of raised dots, probably Ubekistan (in ancient Sogdiana), late 6th-early 7th century. Hammered silver with repoussé and chased decoration. H x Diam: 4.8 × 15.3 cm. Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1997.13. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution.

Wine cup with Ring Handle Decorated with Elephant Heads. Possibly Uzbekistan (in ancient Sogdiana), 7th century CE. Hammered silver with repoussé, chased, and ring-punched decoration and mercury gildingr. H x W x D: 6.3 x 8.7 x 7.1 cm. Purchase, Charles Lang Freer Endowment, Freer Gallery of Art, F2012.1. © 2024 Smithsonian Institution.