The Bactrian Camel, Silk Road

When people think of the heroes of the Silk Road, they might think of a brave explorer setting out into the unknown, or a merchant bringing the exotic wares of the East to the markets of Europe.

Another candidate would be the Bactrian camel, without whose hardiness, stamina and relatively good temperament, the journey would have been impossible.

Ancient Chinese artists seem to have had an appropriate respect for this undefeatable ungulate, making them a common theme in sculpture and ceramics.