The Tragic Death of Lady Yang Guifei

Born to a family of a high offical, Yang Guifei, maiden name Yang Yuhuan became the most favorite concubine of Emperor Xuanzong. It was said that their epic romance brought about the devastating rebellion that cause the eventual decline of the Great Tang dynasty (618-907). To appease the furious armies who blamed Yang Guifei for the upfrising, the Emperor had to order her death and flee to the sotuh after the capital was captured. This Ivory carving depicts the sad parting of the emperor and Yang Guifei right before her tragic death at Maweipo in Shaanxi province.