The second of the four greatest dynasties, the T'ang
combined aggressive military and economic expansion with political stability
and creative achievement. Traffic along the Silk Road was brisk with both
import and export trade. Among its notable artistic contributions were
sophisticated figure painting, tricolored ceramic tomb figurines, and
exquisite porcelain. A significant development of this period is the use
of rare, cobalt blue glazes. The T'ang revered both horses and camels,
figures of which were placed in the burials of the royalty and aristocracy,
along with gold and silver ornaments.
