A “Golden Age” Just for the Living? Silver Vessels in Tang Dynasty Tombs

This paper analyzes gold and silver vessels as burial goods during the Tang dynasty. It is based on a data collection of vessels found in tombs from the provinces of Shaanxi and Henan. An unexpected result is that although known from hoard and other findings, no golden vessels have been retrieved from Tang tombs, only silver, gilt, or partly gilt ones. Analyzing the typology, grouping, and placement in tombs of these vessels sheds light on their possible functions in burial cult, as well as on the social status of the respective tomb owners. The juxtaposition of historical facts and tomb furnishings shows that usage of silver vessels as grave goods also mirrors shifting political, social and regional centres during the Tang.