Fragment of Sage-ground Jin-silk of Everlasting Happiness and Gloriousness Front

Chinese jin-silk (jin, 锦 ) is a luxurious fabric made of refined colored silk. It is known for its rich colors, wonderful luster, exquisite patterns along with its firm yet soft texture. Originated in the Shang and Zhou periods (ca. 1600-256 BC), Chinese jin-silk has witnessed changes and developments in terms of weaving techniques as well as pattern styles, which led to its categorization of Chu-style, Han-style and Tang-style based on varied features of the weave during different periods of history.
This is a five-color piece on which patterns were made visible due to the variation of colors on the warp threads. Compared to the bicolor, tri-color and four-color warp-faced silk fabrics or multi-color jin-silk with various color blocks, this piece employed a much more difficult weaving technique, namely, the five colors appear alternatively on the warp threads based on the weft orientation, forming complete recycling patterns. With clear and splendid figures created by evenly-arranged threads, this piece of textile represents a higher level of warp-faced jin-silk weaving technique in the Han dynasty (202 BC-220 AD).