Fragment (Dress Fabric)
Tang dynasty (CE 618–906), late 8th/early 9th century
Medium
Silk, weft-float faced 1:2 'S' twill weave of complementary wefts and inner warps (samite)
Dimensions
61.6 × 90.2 cm (24 1/4 × 35 1/2 in.); Weft repeat: H.: 61 cm (24 in.)
Classification
weaving
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
149681
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This textile reflects the cosmopolitan richness and inventiveness of the Tang dynasty. During this period, caravans of merchants and Buddhist clerics traversed the vast network that modern scholars call the Silk Road, transporting China’s luxurious silks westward across Asia and returning with exotic goods from empires extending to the Mediterranean Sea. In this textile’s jewel-like floral medallion, symmetrically curled and layered tendrils derived from the classical half palmette were adopted...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...