13/11/2025
During the early trade period (2nd century BCE-3rd century CE), Chinese silk travelled along the Silk Roads to the Roman Empire, where it became a luxury item among the aristocracy. While few physical remnants survive from this era, Chinese damask and jin silk fragments excavated at Palmyra testify to these early commercial connections. Further evidence comes from 8th century twill fabrics discovered at Birka, Sweden, demonstrating the continuous westward flow of Chinese silks into Europe.
Read more in Zhao Feng and Shi Liu's 'Documenting Silk Heritage: A Global Collaboration for 'A Comprehensive Collection of Chinese Silks'' in our most recent issue of Orientations! Click the link in our bio to read more! 🐉
1. Dance-dress China, Tibet; 19th century Brocaded satin, satin damask, cotton tabby; 147 X 172.5 cm The British Museum, London © The Trustees of the British Museum
2. Phoenix-and-Flowers Embroidered Light Yellow Silk-Padded Robe China, Jingzhou; Warring States Period (475-221 BCE) Excavated in 1982 from Tomb No. 1 at Mashan, Jingzhou Jin silk, silk floss, embroidery on silk; length: 165 cm, cuff to cuff: 194 cm Jingzhou Museum, Jingzhou Photo © Jingzhou Museum, Jingzhou
3. Robe with yellow and blue checks masterpieces, a catalogue of China, Minfeng, Xinjiang; Eastern Han, Wei, approximately 150 plates, and and Jin Dynasties (25-420 CE) Unearthed from M3 of Niya Cemetery the corresponding catalogue no. 1 in Minfeng, Xinjiang, in 1995 entries. Jin silk; length: 122 cm, cuff to cuff: 225 cm Cultural Relics and Archaeology Institute of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Photo © Cultural Relics and Archaeology Institute of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
