Title
Oval bowl with birds and flowers
Year/Period
Tang dynasty, around 830s
Region
Southern China
Material
Dimension
Object Size: 4 x 10 x 15.4 cm
Accession No.
2005.1-00923
Collection of
Credit Line
The Tang Shipwreck was acquired through the generous donation of the Estate of Khoo Teck Puat.
One of a pair recovered from the shipwreck, shallow bowls like this was used for drinking. It is derived from Sasanian silver bowls from Iran. The birds were made by pounding from behind (a technique called repoussé); the rest of the decoration was engraved. The birds may represent a pair of ducks or geese in flight. Mandarin ducks and geese were traditionally viewed in China as a symbol of marital bliss and fidelity.
