The Golden Peaches of Samarkand: A Study of T'ang Exotics

The Golden Peaches of Samarkand: A Study of T'ang Exotics by Edward H. Schafer. pod_paperback edition. ISBN: 9780520054622.

In the seventh century the kingdom of Samarkand sent formal gifts of fancy yellow peaches, large as goose eggs and with a color like gold, to the Chinese court at Chang-an. What kind of fruit these golden peaches really were cannot now be guessed, but they have the glamour of mystery, and they symbolize all the exotic things longed for, and unknown things hoped for, by the people of the Tang empire. This book examines the exotics imported into China during the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907), and depicts their influence on Chinese life. Into the land during the three centuries of Tang came the natives of almost every nation of Asia, all bringing exotic wares either as gifts or as goods to be sold. Ivory, rare woods, drugs, diamonds, magicians, dancing girls―the author covers all classes of unusual imports, their places of origin, their lore, their effort on costume, dwellings, diet, and on painting, sculpture, music, and poetry. This book is not a statistical record of commercial imports and medieval trade, but rather a "humanistic essay, however material its subject matter."