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Asian Art Museum

Afghanistan: "Gold Pendant"

Afghanistan: "Gold Pendant"

Regular price $415.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $415.00 USD
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From: Asian Art Museum
Limited Edition: 39
Exhibition: Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul
Material: Printed vinyl
Dimensions: 35" x 72" (88cm x 182cm)

Hanging Hardware Included

Summary

The amazing artistry of ancient Afghanistan combines the influences of the arts of Asia, the Middle East, and ancient Greece and Rome. As a country at a crossroads, Afghanistan served as a point of passage along the Silk Road. The wealth this generated combined with the influx of artistic styles led to a vast array of art: sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, decorative arts, painting and more. Hidden away during years of strife in Afghanistan, a stash of treasures from the National Museum in Kabul remained protected and went on display last year. 39 banners from the Asian Art Museum feature a 1st century gold pendant of a Dragon Master.

Description

These banners are offered for sale as a pair. The complete image spans two banners which, hung side-by-side, create an amazing diptych which covers a 6’ by 6’ space. Just place one (1) banner in your shopping cart, and you will receive two so you may display the banners as originally designed.

In 1978, archaeologists in Afghanistan unearthed tombs of ancient nomads and discovered some 22,000 pieces of gold. The country descended into war a few months later and the amazing gold findings disappeared. Decades later, Afghanistan announced that the priceless artifacts were intact and had been rescued and protected over the years by a group of selfless Afghan heroes intent on protecting their nation’s rich, artistic heritage. These artifacts from the Bronze Age through the first century AD were brought together for the exhibition Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul .

Because of Afghanistan’s strategic location on the commercial routes between China, India, and Europe, Afghan art drew upon many influences. This banner features a pair of pendants depicting the “Dragon Master”. It comes from the tomb excavation of Tillya Tepe in northern Afghanistan. Dating from around the 1st century BC – 1st century AD, it is a treasure of gold, turquoise, garnet, lapis lazuli, carnelian, and pearls. Shown against a simple, black, background the mastery of the craftsman is evident in the details of the figure and the two stylized dragons which flank it. The influence of Chinese, Indian, Siberian, Persian, Greek and Roman art speak to Afghanistan’s important location along the Silk Road. The banner was designed to span a street-lamp post, and blue lettering across the top fits together to read “Afgha/nistan” and the dates “Oct 24/- Jan 25”. White text at the bottom spans both sides reading “Asian Art/Museum”.

Provenance

These banners were displayed around San Francisco from October 24, 2008 to January 25, 2009 to promote the exhibition Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul at the Asian Art Museum. The exhibition was also seen at the National Gallery of Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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