Saddle Ornaments

Liao metalwork under the Khitan rulers drew inspiration from the earlier Tang-dynasty artistic vocabulary, including the flying phoenixes chasing the flaming pearl on this saddle. This motif is also found in Buddhist art of the same period; when found in secular objects, it is associated with women of royal rank (a dragon motif would have adorned the saddles of royal men). The saddle is also inspired by the contemporary Song-dynasty taste for repoussé decoration and high-relief silver ornaments. Such gold and silver saddles have only been found in Khitan royal tombs. This is one of only two known examples of precious metal Liao saddle ornaments in the United States, although other examples are known in China.