Untitled

Unknown

late 12th–14th century · Silk embroidery on plain-weave silk · Asian Art

This textile demonstrates the longevity of motifs in eastern Central Asia. The placement of animals—a spotted horse, a rabbit, and two deer (or antelope)—at its cardinal points is a compositional device that began to appear in the region during the Han dynasty. The birds on the piece, especially the parrot, entered the Central Asian repertoire during a second period of strong Chinese influence, the Tang dynasty. The floral background's central motif of lotus blossoms, a lotus leaf, and a trefoil leaf was seen in Central Asia and North China but became widespread during the Yuan dynasty.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 12th–14th century

Medium

Silk embroidery on plain-weave silk

Culture

Eastern Central Asia

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1988