Samite Featuring Confronted Geese and Mandarin Ducks Details

This is a piece of Tang-dynasty (618-907 AD) samite featuring patterns of confronted geese and mandarin ducks. This items adopted ochre for ground and yellow, green and marron for the main part of geese and ducks. A row of confronted geese is accompanied by a line below it, composed of paired mandarin ducks with ribbons attached to the necks. The geese are especially vivid, with the long tail feathers curling upwards until reaching the heads, and the shape of beak as well as the curvy colored feathers indicate that those others birds with ribbons are mandarin ducks, a symbol of loyal love in Chinese culture as they always appear in pairs. Moreover, geometric patterns of flowering trees can also be seen beside the heads of geese and ducks. The overall image, with well-arranged motif elements, a bright color palette and a happy tone, is a testimony to the grandeur and openness of the Tang dynasty.