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This richly illustrated volume presents an accessible history of Chinese silk art. Combining an expansive perspective with systematic analysis and engaging prose complemented by extensive color imagery the author meticulously examines the essence of ancient Chinese silk artistry. The narrative excels through concise yet profound scholarship: tracing historical origins, exploring nuanced aesthetic depths, and illuminating core principles with scholarly elegance and intellectual pleasure. The Reconstructed textile patterns serve as indispensable visual narratives alongside the text, achieving exceptional contextual fidelity. These visual restorations create a resonant dialogue between between modern readers and historical artisans, allowing contemporary audiences to meaningfully connect with the invisible creators behind these masterworks. Beyond its scholarly contribution, this work holds significant practical value for advancing contemporary silk design and artistic practices. It thus represents a vital step toward perpetuating China s outstanding traditional cultural heritage.
List of contents
Geometric Rhythms (the Shang and Zhou Dynasties).- Animals and Clouds (the Han and Jin Dynasties).- Blend of East and West (the Wei and Tang Dynasties).- Different styles in the South and North (the Song and Liao Dynasties).- The Golden Era (the Jin and Yuan Dynasties).- Auspicious Symbols (the Ming Dynasty).- Kaleidoscope of Life (the Qing Dynasty).- Simplicity and Austerity (Ethnic Minorities).
About the author
Feng Zhao is Curator of the China National Silk Museum, Director of the China Textile Appraisal and Protection Center, Professor at Shanghai Donghua University (formerly known as the China Textile University), Doctoral Supervisor, Member of the National Committee for Cultural Relics Authentication and Preservation, and Chairman of the International Association for the Study of Silk Road Textiles (IASSRT). He has a unique understanding of textile relics, especially Chinese silk history, and silk road, and silk cultural heritage protection, and he has published more than 150 research papers on textile science and technology history, art history, cultural history, and cultural relics protection science and technology. He has also authored or published more than 20 books, and has undertaken 10 national and provincial research projects. He is Editor-in-Chief of
A General History of Chinese Silks
,
The Complete Collection of Dunhuang Silk Art
, and
Chinese Silk Art
(English version).
Summary
This richly illustrated volume presents an accessible history of Chinese silk art. Combining an expansive perspective with systematic analysis and engaging prose—complemented by extensive color imagery—the author meticulously examines the essence of ancient Chinese silk artistry. The narrative excels through concise yet profound scholarship: tracing historical origins, exploring nuanced aesthetic depths, and illuminating core principles with scholarly elegance and intellectual pleasure. The Reconstructed textile patterns serve as indispensable visual narratives alongside the text, achieving exceptional contextual fidelity. These visual restorations create a resonant dialogue between between modern readers and historical artisans, allowing contemporary audiences to meaningfully connect with the invisible creators behind these masterworks. Beyond its scholarly contribution, this work holds significant practical value for advancing contemporary silk design and artistic practices. It thus represents a vital step toward perpetuating China’s outstanding traditional cultural heritage.
