Silver Pot with Dancing Horse Holding a Cup in Mouth

Why did horses become such a central theme in Tang Dynasty art?

During the Tang dynasty, horses symbolized much more than just power. While Emperor Taizong's warhorses were immortalized in art for their battlefield valor, a century later, Emperor Xuanzong’s horses were celebrated not for their strength but for their grace, performing elaborate dances. This shift reflects a broader change in court art—from the heroic to the ornamental. Discover how these majestic animals transitioned from warriors to courtly companions, mirroring the evolving tastes and values of the Tang emperors.

Tang Dynasty (618-907) Mould Stamping Decoration. Height 14.5cm, calibre 2.3cm. Collection of the Shanxi History Museum.

This piece is compiled from the Chinese edition of Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting by Foreign Languages Press and Yale University Press, translated by Chen Ying.