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Textile with Coiled Dragons

Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Not on view
This textile represents the tradition of northern China's Jin dynasty, which was known for textiles brocaded in gold with offset asymmetrical motifs on a solid-colored background. The motif here is a coiled dragon with a flaming jewel. The coiled dragon, as a pattern for princes' robes, dates from the Tang dynasty and was also used for garments in the Song and Xixia dynasties. This example is an early instance of a dragon with five claws. It is woven in a variant of the brocading technique first seen in a Jin-dynasty princely tomb of 1162.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Textile with Coiled Dragons
  • Period: Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Warp-faced plain weave silk brocaded with metal thread
  • Dimensions: Overall: 29 1/8 x 13 in. (74 x 33 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Woven
  • Credit Line: Gift of Lisbet Holmes, 1989
  • Object Number: 1989.205
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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