Chinese ancient art does not always feature Chinese characteristics. The art can be western with carefully carved western faces or decorated patterns, due to cultural exchanges through land and sea Silk Roads.

 

Some creative pieces can be found within the “Sailing Far and Wide on the Sea: Exhibition of Treasures from the Maritime Silk Road” at the Capital Museum in Beijing from April 25 to June 22, 2014.

 

Four sections of the show bring together important Maritime Silk Road remnants from seven coastal provinces in China, such as porcelain, statues, ornaments, and even a hand-painted map that rebuilds a glorious picture of thousands of miles of sea voyages ranging from ancient China to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

 

Let’s take a look at the Chinese ancient art  with western styles that still considered beautiful to this day.

A tricolor-glazed pottery figurine from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). 

A Western person's figurine from the Southern and Northern Dynasties 

A pottery mold for a sculpture representing a Malay man from the Tang Dynasty 

A bronze cane top decorated with the image of a  woman from the Tang Dynasty 

A Yue ware lion-shaped candlestick with blue glaze from the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316).

An ivory foreigner figurine from the Tang Dynasty 

A Changsha ware celadon ewer with a handle and brown appliqué design from the Tang Dynasty

A silver bowl with Makara designs from the Tang Dynasty 

A Yue ware celadon pillow decorated with Makara patterns and tiger from the Five Dynasties period (907-960). 

A copper mirror decorated with sea horses and grapes from Tang Dynasty