This book documents the important artwork shown in the exhibition organized by the Dunhuang Academy and the American Pritzker Art Foundation, curated by David Pritzker. It focuses on art from the Tibetan Tubo Empire (7th-9th centuries), a powerful kingdom along the Silk Road.

For too long, historical narratives of the Silk Road have centered on the Tang Dynasty, Persia, and the Mediterranean, often overlooking the pivotal role of the Tibetan Empire. This exhibition corrects that oversight, charting Tibet's dynamic and creative absorption of surrounding cultures to forge its own powerful identity. Here, we see how Tibet integrated advanced political systems, astrology, and medicine from Tang China, embraced Buddhism from India, commissioned artisans from Nepal, and welcomed scholars and craftsmen from the oasis states of Central Asia into its court.

The gold masks, beads, and silks on display are not merely artifacts; they are direct evidence of a unique artistic style born from the fusion of Tibetan, Tang Chinese, Persian, and Sogdian cultures. Each piece tells a story. Together, they witness a fundamental truth: the legendary civilization of Tibet was a product of the continuous exchange and integration of the diverse cultures along the Silk Road. As the joint curator, Dr. David Pritzker, notes, this exhibition is pioneering in its focused presentation of Tibet's interactive role in the cultural dialogue of the 7th to 9th centuries.. 

Fully illustrated with color photos, text in Chinese.

2022, Beijing, China Tibetology Press, hardcover, 350 pp., hardcover, as new.