The first major volume to explore one of China's most influential yet little known dynasties which brings to life one of China's forgotten empires and its unique culture.
Around 1000 AD, the greatest power in East Asia was the empire of Liao. Established with astonishing speed at the beginning of the tenth century by the Qidan, a confederation of nomads whose homeland was the eastern end of the Eurasian steppes, the Liao empire eventually comprised the greater part of Manchuria, eastern Mongolia and north China. Yet despite their power and influence, the Liao empire crumbled almost as quickly as it arose, falling in 1125 to another wave of nomads.The book will present, for the first time, spectacular artifacts from the most important archaeological discoveries. The masterpiece will be the complete funerary outfit of the Princess of Chen, granddaughter of the Liao Emperor Jing Zong including the gilt bronze death masks of the princess and her husband, her silver wire burial suit, silver gilt crown, boots and pillow, as well as jewelry in gold, silver and jade, and more exotic materials such as amber and crystal.
Nomad traditions are prominently represented by horse trappings in silver, jade and gold as well and by a complete wooden saddle with silver gilt mounts. Unique Liao objects include a jade and gold wire falcon rest, a jade scepter finial, and jade and silver hunting knives. Also shown will be ceramics, textiles and wooden objects including large models of buildings. They reveal a highly sophisticated and complex material culture in which nomadic and Chinese traditions interacted to create a unique cultural milieu.
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