Figure of an Arab

Wearing a rimmed pointed hat, the figure has a long face, sunken eyes, a large nose, beard and mustache. His appearance agrees with the facial features of an Arab as described in the records of New History of the Tang Dynasty (Xin tangshu). The figure wears a garment with the left panel covering the right hand side, a girdle and boots. He carries on his back a traveling bag, holding in the left hand a jar. He leans forward as if walking.
During the Tang dynasty Dashi was the nickname of the Arabia empire. During the reign of Tang Gaozong (650-683), the Arabia empire defeated Persia and conquered the Iranian plateau. In 651, Arabia started to present gifts to the Tang government. From then on, the two countries communicated with each other though the Silk Road. Many Arabs came to the Tang empire, introducing Mohammedanism to China and settling down in Xi’an, Guangzhou, and Quanzhou. This pottery figure of an Arab was unearthed from a tomb of the Tang dynasty illustrates the frequent communications between the two countries. However, the Tang empire and Arabia had conflicts. In 751, led by a senior general Gao Xianzhi (?-755), the Tang troops were defeated by Arabia whose troops kidnapped many craftsmen specialized in weaving, gold and silver metal work, and painting. Thus, Chinese advanced techniques were transmitted to the west and greatly influenced the western countries.