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10. Musicians on Camel Back
Height:58cm
Age: Tang Dynasty
Unearthed in 1959 at Niubo Village, Xi'an
A tri-colored glazed pottery of a camel and a dance group was unearthed in a Tang general's tomb. The camel is brown and stands with its head raised high. The long hairs on its head, chest, stomach and upper parts of its two front legs were carefully executed. On the camel's back is a platform covered by a rug. Seven male musicians carrying musical instruments like shengs, flutes, pi pas, kongs, hous, and clappers sit on the blanket, with a female singer standing in the middle of them. They are all clad in Han-ethnic attire, yet the musical instruments they hold are all from ethnic groups in West China. This artwork is the result of the cultural exchanges along the Silk Road in the open Tang Dynasty.
11. Painting of Playing Polo
Ages：Tang Dynasty
Height:199 cm; Width:154 cm
Unearthed in 1971 from Prince Zhanghuai’s Tomb in Qianxian County, Shaanxi
Prince Zhang Huai was the second son of Empress Wu Zetian and the sixth son of the third Tang emperor, Gaozong. Zhang was named heir apparent in 675, but five years later was accused by his mother of plotting a coup and was banished to Sichuan. There he was later forced to kill himself. On the west wall of the passage to the tomb of Zhang Huai is a twelve meter-long painting, "Playing Polo." The game was introduced from Persia and became popular under the patronage of the Tang royal house. Polo was Prince Zhang Huai's favorite sport.
In addition to the above relics, Shaanxi History Museum has more national treasures like Painting of Hunting Procession, Beast-Head-Shaped Agate Cup, Silver Pot with A Hoop Handle and Parrot Design, Green-Glazed Pot with A Loop Handle, Black Glazed Bowl with Oil-Drop Design.
