‘Táng sān cǎi’ (Tang sancai) refers to a distinctive type of low-fired, lead-glazed pottery produced during China’s Tang dynasty (618–907 CE). The name literally means ‘Tang three colors’, reflecting the traditional use of three primary glaze colors—amber (or yellow), green, and creamy white—though pieces sometimes feature blue, black, or other hues. Each character contributes meaning: 唐 indicates the Tang dynasty, 三 means ‘three’, and 彩 means ‘color’ or ‘glaze’. These ceramics were primarily funerary objects, buried with the elite to accompany them in the afterlife.

Tang sancai pieces often depict animals (especially horses and camels), human figures (such as court ladies or foreign merchants), and vessels. Their vibrant, flowing glazes and expressive forms make them iconic symbols of Tang artistic achievement and cosmopolitan culture. Today, they are highly valued in museums and private collections worldwide—and frequently reproduced for decorative or educational purposes.