Slideshow of selected works
To view the slideshow, click on one of the small images first.
1/22
Dragon c700s
gilded bronze with an iron core
unearthed from Caochangpo in the southern suburb of Xi’an, 1975
Shaanxi History Museum
2/22
Female figure with zhuiji chignon 712–79
earthenware with pigments
excavated from Hansenzhai, an eastern suburb of Xi’an, 1988
Xi’an Museum
3/22
Stupa jar 650s – 750s
painted earthenware
unearthed from the site of Zhongwei at Guodu, Chang’an District, Xi’an, 1988
Xi’an Museum
4/22
Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha) late 700s or 800s
marble
excavated from the Taiping Temple site at Jiucheng Palace, Linyou County, Baoji, 1950
Linyou Museum
5/22
Hayagrīva statue c800
marble with remains of paint and gilding in the hair
excavated at the site of Anguo Monastery, Xi’an, 1959
Xi’an Beilin Museum
6/22
Horse 718
sancai earthenware
excavated from the tomb of Li Zhen (625–688) in Xinglong Village of Yanxia Commune, Liquan County, 1972
Zhaoling Museum
7/22
Stone chest early 700s
marble
unearthed in Caiguai Village, Languan town, Lantian County, 1990
Lantian County Heritage Tourism Bureau
8/22
Gilded basket c800–74
silver
unearthed from the rear chamber of the Famen Monastery crypt, 1987
Famen Temple Museum
9/22
Basin with mandarin ducks and floral medallion design 700–874
gilded silver
unearthed from the rear chamber of the Famen Monastery crypt, 1987
Famen Temple Museum
10/22
Pushou door knob 634–907
gilded bronze
excavated at the site of the Daming Palace, Xi’an, 1988
Shaanxi History Museum
11/22
Mirror with mother-of-pearl and turquoise inlays 736
bronze, mother-of-pearl and turquoise
excavated from the tomb of Princess Li Chui at Xi’an Technology University, Xi’an, 2002
Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology
12/22
Outer coffin inlaid with gemstones c874
crystal, gemstones
unearthed from the secret niche under the rear chamber of Famen crypt, 1987
Famen Temple Museum
13/22
Bottle 700–874
glassware
unearthed from the rear chamber of the Famen Monastery crypt, 1987
Famen Temple Museum
14/22
Horse 742
sancai earthenware
excavated from Li Xian’s tomb at Pucheng County, 2000
Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology
15/22
Men on horseback 706
painted earthenware
excavated from the tomb of Prince Yide (682–701) at Qianling, Xianyang, 1971
Qianling Museum
16/22
Container in tortoise shape 800–74
gilded silver
unearthed from the rear chamber of the Famen Monastery crypt, 1987
Famen Temple Museum
17/22
Tea grinder 869
gilded silver
unearthed from the rear chamber of the Famen Monastery crypt, 1987
Famen Temple Museum
18/22
Zodiac animals 700s
earthenware
unearthed from a Tang-era tomb at Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, 2002
Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology
19/22
Zodiac animals 700s
earthenware
unearthed from a Tang-era tomb at Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, 2002
Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology
20/22
Mural of females c710
pigments on plaster
excavated from the tomb of Li Chongjun, Prince Jiemin, in Fuping, Weinan, 1995
Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology
21/22
The colourful Medicine Buddha’s Eastern Paradise sutra (c618–705) on the north wall of Cave 220, Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, Gansu Province
As seen in the immersive Pure land digital installation
Photo: Dunhuang Research Academy
22/22
Digitising the murals inside Cave 61 (907–60), Dunhuang, Gansu Province
Photo: Sun Zhijun