Bactrian Camel and Groom

唐 Tang dynasty
(618–907)
China

Painted pottery, 35cm tall

cat# 17111

The Chinese acquired Bactrian camels from the nomadic tribes on their northern frontier at least as early as the 战国Warring States period (475-221 B.C.). Camels are very versatile creatures. The animals were kept by wealthy Chinese to be ridden, and by merchants as beasts of burden on the Silk Road—the fastest were reserved by the military to send messages. The herdsmen and grooms were almost always foreigners: Mongolians, Central Asians and Tibetans.

Bactrian camels are superb pack animals, each one can carry a load of 350 lbs. and survive for days without food or water. Look at the large feet on this camel. The broad pads make it surefooted. In addition, clothing was made from camel hair and boiled camel hump was a delicacy in Central Asia. The importance of the camel is apparent in the frequency with which it is represented in Tang tomb furnishings of elite individuals.

On loan from Eric Wong