Silk gauze fragments, 200-800 AD. Museum no. LOAN:STEIN.314 (Ast.vi.03)

Silk gauze fragments
China
200-800 AD
Gauze weave in silk
Length 8.5 cm x Width 8 cm (mounted)
Museum no. LOAN:STEIN.314 (Ast.vi.03)
On loan from Government of India and the Archaeological Survey of India

This used to be a really fine and exquisite textile, of which the colours are still clear and strong. The colours of the silk gauze show a checked design but due the delicate nature of its weave only tiny fragments have survived. Stein discovered it in one of the tombs of Astana's burial grounds, where it originally may have been part of the burial furnishings.