The Golden Peaches of Samarkand

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 Ch'ang-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 T'ang empire.

This book examines the exotics imported into China during the T'ang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907), and depicts their influence on Chinese life. Into the land during the three centuries of T'ang 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."

Introduction

I The Glory of T'ang
Historical Matters-Foreigners in T'ang-Ships and Sea
Routes- Caravans and Land Routes- Foreign
Settlements in T'ang-Treatment of Foreigners-
Tribute- Exotic Taste- Exotic Literature

11 Men 40
War Prisoners- Slaves- Dwarfs- Hostages- Human
Tribute- Musicians and Dancers

III Domestic Animals
Horses- Camels- Cattle- Sheep and Goats -Asses,
Mules, and Onagers- Dogs

IV Wild Animals
Elephants- Rhinoceroses- Lions- Leopards and
Cheetahs- Sables or Ermines- Gazelles or ChamoisDoubtful
Ungulates-A Doubtful Carnivore- Marmots
-Mongooses-A Weasel or Ferret

V Birds
Hawks and Falcons- Peacocks- Parrots- Ostriches Kalaviizkas

VI Furs and Feathers
Deerskins- Horsehides- Sealskins - Skins of Martens
and Their Kin -Leopard Skins-Lion Skins- Other
Skins- Sharkskins- Animal Tails- Feathers- Peacock
Tails-Feather Garments- Insect Ornaments

VII Plants
Preservation and Propagation -Date Palms- PeepulsSaul
Trees- Saffron Crocus-N aga-Flowers- "Buddha's
Land Leaf"- Narcissus- Lotuses- Water Lilies

VIII Woods
Sanderswood- Rosewood- Sandalwood- Ebony

IX Foods
Grapes and Grape Wine-Myrobalans- VegetablesDelicacies-
Seafoods - Condiments- Sugar

X Aromatics
Incense and Braziers - Aloeswood- Lakawood- Elemi
-Camphor-Storax-Gum Guggul and BenzoinFrankincense-
Myrrh- Cloves- Putchuk- Patchouli
-Jasmine Oil- Rose Water- Ambergris- Onycha

XI Drugs
Pharmacology- Citragandha- Theriaca- Cardamoms
-Nutmeg- Turmeric and Zedoary- Tacamahac-
Manna- Balm of Gilead-- Galbanum- Asafetida-
Castor Beans- Purging Cassia- Seaweeds- Ginseng-
Assorted Herbs- Bezoar- Olnul- Python Bile-
White Wax- Human Hair- Blue Vitriol

XII Textiles
A Suit of Gold- Woolens-Rugs-Asbestos-FeltLinen-
V arT,Jaka- Pongee- Bombycine- Polychrome
Silks- Water Sheep and Ice Silkworms- Cotton -
"Sunrise Clouds of Morning"

XIII Pigments
Gibbon's Blood-Lac- Dragon's Blood- SapanMurex
Purple? -Indigo- Bhallataka-Oak Galls
- Gambodge- Flake Blue- Orpiment

XIV Industrial Minerals
Salt- Alum- Sal Ammoniac- Borax- Niter,
Glauber's Salt, and Epsom Salts- Sulphur- Realgar-
Litharge- Soda Ash -Diamonds

XV Jewels
Jade- Crystal- Carnelian- Malachite- Lapis Lazuli
-"Germ of Metal"-Glass-Fire Orbs-Ivory-
Rhinoceros Horn- Fish Tusks- Pearls- Tortoise Shell
-Neptune's Cradle- Coral- Amber-Jet

XVI Metals
Gold- Purple Gold- Silver- Brass- Gold and Silver Coins

XVII Secular Objects
Various Utensils -Lamp-Trees- Armor- Swords and
Spears- Bows and Arrows

XVIII Sacred Objects
Relics- Images

XIX Books
"Exotica"- Bookshops and Libraries- Books of Travel
and Geography- Religious Books- Scientific Books -
Tablatures and Maps

Notes
Bibliography
Glossary A. Names and. Titles
Glossary B. Words
Index