The Research On Plastic Arts Of Silver And Gold In Tang Dynasty

Silverwares and goldworks hold an important position in the Chinese traditional art and culture. The Tang dynasty is the flourishing period of the development of silverwares and goldworks. Most of the silverwares and goldworks from Tang dynasty are archaeological findings, while handed down pieces from ancient times rarely exist.As a visual element, modelling directly determines the beauty and practical use of an artwork. In this paper, the types of modelling will be divided into two categories according to the characteristics of its main modelling element. The first category is based on geometry shapes, including sphere, round, square, and irregular forms. The other category is based on natural bionic forms, including plants(e.g. begonia, ling flower, sunflower, lotus, peach shape, etc.), and animals(e.g. tortoise, sheep, dragon, Capricorn, etc.). The evolution of the modelling of Silver and Gold in the Tang dynasty can be divided into early, middle and late periods, and this will be summarized in table forms. The artistic features of silverware and goldworks from Tang dynasty will be further discussed in this paper.Modelling of Silver and Gold in the Tang dynasty is diverse, and was closely related to politics, economy, culture, etc. The main reason why the Silver and Gold in the tang dynasty is so prevailed that has two aspects: native culture and foreign culture. Absorbing the quintessence out of foreign culture on the basis of traditional Chinese culture, and create a new modelling timely. The rapid growth of economy triggers upper-class’ s desire for more luxury pleasure and being immortal. The improvement of technology satisfies people’s aesthetic demand. The cultural integration and political communication enhances the development of gold and silver crafting. Silverwares and goldworks imported from Sogdia, Sassanid, and Roman-Byzantine Empire greatly influenced the development of local artworks, especially in its modelling. During this time, the development of the silverware and goldworks in the Tang dynasty has gradually evolved from imitation to innovation, from affiliation to independence, and from the dedicated to the popularization. As one of the main production elements of the Silver and Gold in the Tang dynasty, plastic arts truly represents a well-developed arts and crafts. It shows the abundance of life and the prosperity of culture, and the openness and creativity in the Tang dynasty. Also, it reflects the ideology’s change and richness of imagination and creativity of the Tang people.The research on silverwares and goldworks of the Tang dynasty contains the history of the plastic arts, the exploration of its beauty, finding the source of its beauty, and the expectation for inspiring the modern jewelry design.