The Golden Peaches of Samarkand: A Study of T‘ang Exotics

Interest in and written records about aromatics grew rapidly during the tenth to thirteenth centuries.

“Interest in and written records about aromatics grew rapidly during the tenth to thirteenth centuries.”

Traditional Chinese texts list amber as 'medicine'; Schafer discusses it under 'jewelry'.

“Traditional Chinese texts list amber as 'medicine'; Schafer discusses it under 'jewelry'.”

During the Tang period, the boundaries between aromatics, perfumes, incense, medicine, and spices were vague or virtually non-existent.

“It has been noted that during the Tang period, the boundaries between aromatics, perfumes, incense, medicine, and spices were vague or virtually non-existent.”

Agarwood may have served as a substitute for western aromatics, which became more difficult to obtain in Chinese markets following widespread political upheavals.

“In addition, agarwood may have served as a substitute for western aromatics, which became more difficult to obtain in Chinese markets following widespread political upheavals.”

By the Song period, the amount of produce imported from Southeast Asia surpassed the amount of western produce.

“In general, the amount of produce imported from Southeast Asia surpassed the amount of western produce by that time.”

Canton had become a leading international incense market.

“Canton had become a leading international incense market”

Agarwood was regularly sent from Canton to Chang-an as a local tribute; it became one of the two 'most prized' aromatics.

“and agarwood was regularly sent further from there to Chang-an 38 as a local tribute; it became one of the two 'most prized' aromatics.”

West Asians were present in Chang-an and increasingly settled in Canton, where they met diverse argosies from maritime Asia who exchanged fragrant tropical woods.

“West Asians were present in Chang-an, and increasingly settled in Canton. There they met with members of diverse argosies from maritime Asia who exchanged among many other objects 'fragrant tropical woods'”

The prolific use of perfumes by the elite at home as well as within religious contexts supported technical advances and increased the attention given to the endeavour, so that it became worthy of mention in poetry.

“The prolific use of perfumes by the elite at home as well as within religious contexts 46 obviously supported technical advances and increased the attention given to the endeavour, so that it became worthy of mention in poetry.”