scholarly journals Study on a silver box unearthed from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618–907) tomb at Xiaolizhuang Site, Henan Province, China

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhihui Yao ◽  
Yuxuan Gong
Keyword(s):  
Manufacturing Process ◽  
Tang Dynasty ◽  
Gold Film ◽  
Henan Province ◽  
Thin Gold Film ◽  
Interior Surface ◽  
Surface Features ◽  
Plastic Forming ◽  
The Tang Dynasty

Abstract Over the years, numerous gold and silver artifacts were excavated from tombs of the Tang Dynasty which gave evidence of the sophisticated metalworking techniques at that time. However, very few of them were studied and the manufacturing process was barely known. In this research, the microstructural analyses including microscopy and SEM–EDS were conducted on a delicate silver cosmetics box excavated from a Tang Dynasty tomb of Xiaolizhuang site. The silver artifact is made up of two symmetrical cambered pieces which were fabricated by alternating hammering and annealing. The shape and surface features were further modified through plastic forming. Afterwards, spinning technique was employed to ensure the interior surface is smooth and has consistent thickness. The surface of the silver box is fully decorated with multiple fine engraving including petals, fish-toe circles, flower pattern, twine pattern and the Tang grass pattern. According to the overlapping status of the notches, the patterns were processed in a certain order by using various gravers. The artifact was brought in its final appearance by gilding to form a thin gold film on the surface. These results overall reveal the sophisticated techniques applied in making the artifact and further enhance the understanding of metalworking practices in the Tang Dynasty.

Nano-Folded Gold Electrocatalysts Enhance the Selectivity of Carbon Dioxide Reduction

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kam Sang Kwok ◽  
Yuxuan Wang ◽  
Michael Cao ◽  
Hao Shen ◽  
Weinan Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Mass Transport ◽  
Gold Film ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Thin Gold Film ◽  
Faradaic Efficiency ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Carbon Monoxide Formation ◽  
Catalytic Interfaces

<p>The local structure and geometry of catalytic interfaces can influence the selectivity of chemical reactions. Here, using a pre-strained polymer, we uniaxially compress a thin gold film to form a nano-folded catalyst. We observe two kinds of folds and can tune the ratio of loose to tight folds by varying the extent of pre-strain in the polymer. We characterize the nano-folded catalysts using x-ray diffraction, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. We observe grain reorientation and coarsening in the nano-folded gold catalysts. Electroreduction of carbon dioxide with these nano-folded catalysts reveals an enhancement of Faradaic efficiency for carbon monoxide formation by a factor of about four. This result suggests that electrolyte mass transport limitations and an increase of the local pH in the tight folds of the catalyst outweigh the effects of alterations in grain characteristics. Together, our studies demonstrate that nano-folded geometries can significantly alter grain characteristics, mass transport, and catalytic selectivity. </p>

COASTAL ALTERATION AND CHANGES IN SHORELINE MORPHOLOGY DUE TO ARTIFICIAL STRUCTURES IN MIIRAKU TOWN ON FUKUE IS. IN THE GOTO ARCHIPELAGO

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryo Sakamoto ◽  
Ryo Sakamoto ◽  
Satoquo Seino ◽  
Satoquo Seino ◽  
Hirokazu Suzaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tang Dynasty ◽  
National Park ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Sand Transport ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Tang Dynasty ◽  
Coastal Changes ◽  
Century Poetry ◽  
Nagasaki Prefecture

A construction of breakwaters and other shoreline structures on part of a coast influences drift sand transport in the bay, and causes comprehensive topographic changes on the beach. This study investigated shoreline and coastal changes, taking as an example of Shiraragahama Beach in Miiraku on the northwestern end of Fukue Island, Nagasaki Prefecture (Kyushu, Japan). Miiraku, adjacent to Saikai National Park, appears in the revered 8th century poetry collection “Manyoshu” and served as a port for a ship taken by the Japanese envoy to China during the Tang Dynasty (618-709). Because of the recent development of breakwaters for a fishing harbor, the shore environments of this beach have changed significantly. In this study, the status of silt deposits and topographic changes on this beach arising from the construction of a harbor breakwater were evaluated by comparing aerial photographs taken in different years. Next, the changes in the shoreline visible from aerial photographs from 1947 to 2014 were analyzed. Lastly, the altitude of the beaches was measured using accurate survey methods. The following results were obtained: 1) coastal erosion made rock cliffs to fall off along the shore and deposited sand on this beach; 2) the more serious advances or retreats of the shoreline took place around shoreline structures; 3) sandbars and beach cliffs were formed.

scholarly journals Technical features of a ninth-century silver vessel of southern China uncovered from Famen Monastery, Shaanxi province

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Panpan Tan ◽  
Junchang Yang ◽  
Xinlai Ren
Keyword(s):  
Tang Dynasty ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Eighth Century ◽  
Shaanxi Province ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Cu Alloy ◽  
Scientific Analysis ◽  
The Tang Dynasty ◽  
Technical Details ◽  
Technical Features

AbstractSilver art is an important feature of the Tang dynasty in China and the manufacturing center for silver shifted from north to south after the mid-eighth century CE. The typology, stylistics, and iconography of silver vessels from both regions have been studied in detail. However, their technical characteristics have rarely been discussed, in particular, those of the southern ones. The current study presents a non-invasive scientific analysis on a partially-gilded silver box from Jiangnanxidao of Tang (southern China), uncovered from the pagoda crypt of the Famen Monastery, Shaanxi province. The results reveal that the box was made of refined silver from cupellation, and composed of five pieces, brazed together with hard solder. Ag–Cu alloy was identified to braze the ring foot and the box bottom. Brazing, hammering, engraving, repoussé, chasing, punching, and partial fire-gilding were employed to shape and decorate the box. More strikingly, the comparative analysis of technical details between this southern box and the previously reported northern silver vessels demonstrates that the former is more precise. Moreover, the similarities in motif expressions of southern-origin silver vessels after the mid-eighth century CE and northern-origin silver vessels before the mid-eighth century CE reflect the inheritance of decorative style. These differences and inheritance indicate that southern artisans after the mid-eighth century CE inherited the decorative technology of the northern-origin silver vessels before the mid-eighth century CE and developed them to greater perfection. The current study presents novel insights into the silver technology of southern China during the late Tang dynasty.

Women's travel in the Tang Dynasty: Gendered identity in a hierarchical society

2021 ◽  
Vol 89 ◽  
pp. 103231
Author(s):  
Xiangli Fan ◽  
Jingqiang Wang ◽  
Honggen Xiao
Keyword(s):  
Tang Dynasty ◽  
Gendered Identity ◽  
The Tang Dynasty ◽  
Women's Travel
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