Textile with animals and woven inscription

1st–3rd century

Not on view

On this colorful textile, several lively creatures climbing cloudlike mountains are interspersed with Chinese characters that form an incomplete auspicious inscription. The pattern of animals and clouds was popular on Chinese silks from the Han to the Jin dynasty (ca. 1st–3rd century). Textiles with such patterns have been found at archaeological sites all over China, including in the far west, and were often referred to in contemporary documents by complete or partial inscriptions. The inscription on this work includes the characters for ming guang (brightness), which is thought to denote the Ming Guang Palace, built for Emperor Wudi of the Han dynasty. The inscription honors the lord of the palace.

Artwork Details

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References

1—3世紀動物紋銘文錦
Title: Textile with animals and woven inscription
Period: Eastern Han dynasty (25–220)
Date: 1st–3rd century
Culture: China
Medium: Warp-faced compound plain weave silk
Dimensions: Overall: 8 1/4 × 17 5/16 in. (21 × 44 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Woven
Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2003
Object Number: 2003.385a–e
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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