For centuries the great Silk Road traversed the massive expanse of China, linking the west and the east. Objects of gold, silver, ceramic, textiles and stone are included among the more than 176 treasures from China, many never seen before in this country. Drawn from the collections of more than twenty museums and archaeological institutes, these works of art highlight the influence of the west on China prior to and during the T'ang dynasty more than 1,000 years ago. The influence of Buddhism is explored in this exhibition which spans thousands of miles and more than four centuries. Stunning T'ang Dynasty horses and camels are complemented by exquisite jade and gold vessels, representing dynamic interchange in a world that was growing smaller through trade, religion and art work. Works are drawn from the far western reaches of China, including the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, Beijing and the Gansu and Shaanxi provinces in central China.
