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Textile Fragment with Geometric Patterns

2nd century BC

Not on view

This textile fragment demonstrates a complicated weaving technique known for only a brief period during the Western Han: the tightly arranged geometric patterns have a raised appearance, achieving a velvet-like effect via the use of highly twisted warps. In addition to several pieces from Mawangdui, a few examples of the technique have been discovered from tombs in Mongolia and in northwest Gansu Province. Because it resembles embroidery, this type of fabric is often related to “woven embroidery” (zhijinxiu), a legendary weaving technique that, according to historical texts, had already been lost by A.D. 54.

Textile Fragment with Geometric Patterns, Silk warp-faced compound weave with twisted warp for the pattern, China — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

西汉矩纹起绒锦残片

Title: Textile Fragment with Geometric Patterns

Period: Western Han dynasty (206 BCE–9 CE)

Date: 2nd century BC

Culture: China

Medium: Silk warp-faced compound weave with twisted warp for the pattern

Dimensions: Image: 3 7/16 × 7 7/8 in. (8.7 × 20 cm)
Frame: 8 5/8 × 9 13/16 × 9/16 in. (21.9 × 24.9 × 1.5 cm)

Classification: Textiles

Credit Line: Lent by Hunan Provincial Museum

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Asian Art at The Met

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