In ancient China, hunting was always regarded as a major ceremonial event. Hunting motifs appeared widely on Warring States bronzes, Han Dynasty murals and stone reliefs and Wei-Jin brick paintings. Although this Tang Dynasty (618-907) silver cup follows a Western form, the hunters depicted on its walls wear futou (traditional Tang headwear) and narrow-sleeved robes — both typical Tang attire — while the decorative style also exhibits distinct Chinese characteristics. Thus, this hunting scene can be seen as a continuation of traditional Chinese subject matter blended with foreign stylistic influences.