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A work made of earthenware with three-color (sancai) lead glazes and traces of pigments.

Seated Girl Holding Mirror

Tang dynasty (618–907), first half of 8th century

China

China

This young girl with braided pigtails 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 pigments

Arts of Asia