Seated Woman Holding Mirror
Tang dynasty (A.D. 618–907), first half of 8th century
China
China
This mature woman with a topknot gazing into a hand-mirror reflects life in a sophis-ticated and fashion-conscious Tang court. She may be applying cosmetics, which included mineral pigments that were im-ported from Persia (now Iran) and Central Asia. She sits upon round, waisted stools that were a new furniture style for the time.
Earthenware with three-color (sancai) lead glazes and traces of polychrome pigments