Polo Game in Tang Dynasty
Artwork
Medium:
Ink on Paper
Date:
2002
Dimensions:
Artworks -
Height: 14 in
Width: 38.5 in
Description:
Polo match between men and women.
Historical Context:
In ancient China, polo originated 2,000 years ago in the East Han Dynasty (207BC-AD25) when the traditional name for the game was “jiju” and peaked in the Tang Dynasty, who ruled China from 618-907 AD. Polo became the game of choice for the Chinese elite and was viewed as a form of entertainment rather than a competitive sport. Tang emperors used polo even as a tool of diplomacy.