China has a history of silk more than 5000 years, since she first invented
the sericulture and silk production. It is silk that built a bridge between
China and Europe, then the Silk Road became a symbol of the cultural and
economic exchange between the East and the West. So silk is a part of the
Chinese civilization, which made a great contribution to the world.
What kind of oriental silk mysteries will be brought to this beautiful
country? It is learned that there will be more than 140 pieces /sets of silk
textile exhibits collected by ChinaSilkMuseum, of which 80, carefully selected,
extremely precious and rare, are relics of ancient China which epitomizes the
historical development of ancient silk culture. Besides, woven fabrics and
modern brocade add up to 60 pieces / sets, among which, some master embroidered
pieces are supplied by the Culture Ministry of the People's Republic of
China.
The exhibition is made up of three parts.
Part I narrates how China and Europe are connected through the route of Silk Road, that is, the silk
relics textiles excavated along the Silk Road by land, sea and desert. Chinese
silk chronology charts the development of silk in the past 5,000 years with
emphasis on Chinese silk history and culture. A group of model weaving looms,
ranging from the primitive back-strapped loom, the treadle plain-weave loom, the
reclining loom and the mechanical patterning loom act out not only the weaving
technology but also how the ancient Chinese made exquisite silk. The precious
exhibits, the 5,000-year old components of a primitive back-strapped loom and
the silk yarn unearthed in Yuyao county, Zhejiang Province, enable people to
understand that the ancestors of the Chinese people began to grow mulberry
trees, raise silkworms and weave silk fabrics even then, hence, the long
civilization history of China.
Part II exhibits the silk textile relics from the early Qin period (306 BC)
to the 40s of last century. You can see a Han dynasty brocade (206 BC) with the
motif of running animals amidst the misty mountains, an indication of people's
longing for a fairyland. Still another piece called "Persian Samite" which dates
back to the Northern dynasties (386-581AD) with its motifs of elephant, camel,
winged horse, lion, and hunter in half a dozen colors, clearly indicates the
influence of the western regions. Rare animals and gods from the Greek mythology
form the major motifs of silk textiles from the 5th-9th centuries. A well
preserved silk tabby coat tie-dyed by hand helps us to understand and study the
silk production techniques as well as the fashion style in that dynasty. The
brocade fabrics, elegant and poised with pearl roundel and floral spray motifs
produced in the Tang dynasty not only reflect the prosperity of that dynasty but
also the high level of technology in the silk production. The delicate and
refined style of the Song dynasty is shown in a suit of gauze coat, trousers and
a pair of shoes on display. They are thin, light and graceful. The trousers with
its short yet loose legs recapture the fashion style of that time. The silk
textiles and clothes after the 19th century on this show are all bright in
color, diversified in style and exquisite in embroidery.
You can see a Han dynasty brocade (206 BC) with the motif of running animals amidst the misty mountains, an indication of people's longing for a fairyland. http://www.mens-ties.com.au/
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