During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), a grand banquet was held at Xingqing Palace on every Thousand Autumns Festival, the day of his birthday. Amidst the music, dance and acrobatic performances, the dancing horses were an indispensable highlight of the celebration.

This gilded silver flagon with the pattern of dancing horses, inspiring by the leather pouches of the northern nomadic people, captures the moment of a "dancing horse offering birthday felicitations with a cup." This quintessential masterpiece reflects cultural exchange between people of the central plains and the northern grasslands.