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Image 43: Woman in hufu, 8th-9th century, C.815-1936. Women of the Chinese aristocracy in the Tang dynasty (618-907) took to horseback and like the men, they also adopted the dress of their horse-riding neighbours, which was known as the 'foreigners' dress' (hufu). It was made up of a belted knee-length tunic with splits up the side worn over loose trousers that were tucked into high boots. This kind of dress became fashionable in 7th and early 8th century Chang'an. This piece has a cobalt blue lead glaze from China in the early 8th century, and arrived along the Silk Road from the Near East. The woman may be holding a small dog, which were fashionable among the Chinese aristocracy at the time.
©Victoria and Albert Museum
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