Silk

Silk fabric was first developed in ancient China. The earliest example of silk fabric is from 3630 BC, and it was used as wrapping for the body of a child from a Yangshao site in Qingtaicun at Xingyang, Henan.

A painting depicting women inspecting silk,

early 12th century, ink and color on silk,

by Emperor Huizong of Song. 

Legend gives credit for developing silk to a Chinese empress, Leizu (Hsi-Ling-Shih, Lei-Tzu). Silks were originally reserved for the Emperors of China for their own use and gifts to others, but spread gradually through Chinese culture and trade both geographically and socially, and then to many regions of Asia. Because of its texture and lustre, silk rapidly became a popular luxury fabric in the many areas accessible to Chinese merchants. Silk was in great demand, and became a staple of pre-industrial international trade. In July 2007, archaeologists discovered intricately woven and dyed silk textiles in a tomb in Jiangxi province, dated to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty roughly 2,500 years ago.

Client:

Red Dragon Commercial Center  

Concept: ...from China

China has been the source of many innovations, scientific discoveries andinventions. This includes the Four Great Inventions: papermaking, the compass,gunpowder and printing (both woodblock and movable type). A number of layouts will present Ancient Chinese Inventions.