In the Tang Dynasty, tea was cooked with orange skin, salt, pepper and ginger. Therefore there were many tea equipment used as the containers for different flavors. This silver holder was used for salt or pepper. There are three parts of this holder: a lid, a plate and a rack. The lid was designed as a lotus leaf, with a lotus flower bud on the top and four makara fish on the surface. The rack is made from three silver wires. At the junction of the wires there are two makara fish and two lotus. Each part of the holder was welded together.

Makara was a popular decorative pattern in the Tang Dynasty. It is a holy animal in the ancient Indian Sagas with long nose, sharp teeth and a fish body. It looks similar to the appearance of dragon in China therefore it was considered a auspicious animal and widely used in the Tang Dynasty.

There were another two holders excavated in the Fahmen Temple: one was a silver jar with gold human painting on the surface, it was also used as a container for the flavors. Another one was a tortoise shaped silver box gilded with gold. It was used to hold tea powders. When being used the tea powders could be poured out from the tortoise mouth or taken from the opened lid.

 

Background Knowledge: History of China
 

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