Travel the Silk Road with the British Museum
The Silk Roads exhibition at the British Museum is now in its final week. If you’re in London and feeling inspired by the latest issue of Selvedge magazine, now is the perfect time to visit. This exhibition takes visitors on a fascinating journey through the vast trade routes that connected East and West for over a thousand years. It brings to life the cultural exchanges that shaped civilisations, with a particular focus on textiles—one of the most treasured commodities traded along these routes.
Silk Sleeve Panel with Equestrian Figures
One of the most remarkable textile pieces on display is a beautifully preserved silk sleeve from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE). Discovered in a tomb in northwestern China, the sleeve is adorned with intricate patterns that reflect artistic influences from multiple cultures. The motifs, which combine elements from both Chinese and Persian design traditions, highlight the deep interconnectivity of the Silk Roads. The fabric’s fine weave and rich dyes showcase the technical mastery of Chinese silk production, while its decorative elements suggest exposure to international styles. Though just a fragment of cloth, this sleeve tells a much larger story about the movement of materials, techniques, and ideas across continents.
Textile with confronting Ibexes or stags in pearl roundels, Found in the Mogao Caves, China, AD 700s.
The exhibition also sheds light on the Sogdians, a fascinating group of Central Asian merchants who played a crucial role in Silk Roads trade. Originally from what is now Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, the Sogdians were expert traders, multilingual negotiators, and cultural intermediaries. Their textiles reflect a blend of artistic traditions, such as pearl roundels enclosing mythical creatures - an aesthetic that later influenced Islamic and Byzantine textile designs. Other patterns, like Chinese cloud motifs and Persian floral elements, further illustrate their role in cultural exchange. Many surviving Sogdian textiles also depict scenes of music, dance, and storytelling, revealing a people who not only traded goods but also shared traditions, forming vibrant communities along key trade hubs. Their ability to connect with diverse cultures helped facilitate exchanges between Chinese, Indian, Persian, and Byzantine merchants.
Robe from Uzbekistan, 1800's. Green and Gold Brocade. Silk and Cotton Satin Ground.
Beyond textiles, the exhibition explores the broader impact of the Silk Roads on fashion, identity, and technology. Displays include gold-threaded robes, embroidered wall hangings, and rare dye samples that illustrate the evolution of textile production across different regions. The story of silk is not just about commerce - it’s about the people who wove, wore, and admired these fabrics.
Large Fragment of a Tunic. Plain weave, undyed linen base, yellow silk surface.
The Silk Roads exhibition offers a tangible connection to the past through textiles that were more than just commodities; they were carriers of stories, traditions, and artistic innovation. Visitors are invited to imagine the hands that spun the threads, the looms that shaped the patterns, and the journeys these fabrics undertook before reaching their final destinations. It is a vivid reminder that long before the modern era of globalisation, the world was already deeply interconnected.
Further Information:
Lead Image:
Quilt facing, late 17th century, Turkey (Ottoman), floss silks on linen.