Beyond the aesthetics of Tang and Liao dynasties artifacts in the British Museum’s collection

This study investigates fourteen silver vessels from the Tang (618–907 CE) and Liao dynasties (916–1125 CE) in the British Museum to examine their production techniques, compositions and decorations. Part of the museum’s permanent exhibition, these objects reflect rich cultural exchanges along the Silk Road, blending local craftsmanship with foreign influences. Acquired at different times from varied sources, the vessels are museum-held rather than excavated, presenting challenges in determining authenticity and chronology. To address these issues, the study adopts a multifaceted approach combining provenance research and scientific analysis to reconstruct objects’ “life history.” Techniques including XRF, SEM-EDX, microscopy, and radiography revealed diverse manufacturing and decorative methods and consistent silver-copper alloys, with compositional shifts linked to historical changes following the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763 CE). Also, increased gold content in post-rebellion vessels likely reflects the use of different ore sources and trade conditions. This research contributes new data and directions for future study.