Female Musician
Tang dynasty (618–907), late 7th or early 8th century
Medium
Earthenware with polychrome pigments
Dimensions
20.6 × 13.3 × 12.8 cm (8 1/8 × 5 1/4 × 5 1/16 in.)
Classification
statuette
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
229112
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Young female musicians who hailed from oasis cities on the Silk Road in Central Asia captivated the Tang court by playing a combination of Chinese and foreign instru-ments. This ensemble features girls playing the cymbals, a vertical flute or oboe, pan-pipes, and an upright angular harp. Two musicians in the back row hold vessel-like instruments that have not been identified.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...