Silk Princess painting - Votive panel - Inv. no. 1907,1111.73 - 5th to 7th C. AD. - From Dandan-Uiliq, Xinjiang, China - British Museum. Dimensions: 12× 46 × 2.20 cm

Rectangular votive panel painted on one side. Depicted is the legend of the introduction of sericulture to the regions of Khotan. The central figure is a Chinese princess who smuggled mulberry seeds and eggs of the silk moth to Khotan, hiding them in her head-dress. In front of her, there is a basket full of cocoons. The figure on the left is probably a female attendant pointing to the hidden items in the head-dress, while the figure on the right appears to stand in front of a loom holding a weaver's comb. The four-armed deity seated cross-legged probably represents the God of Silk, who appears to hold in the hands a goblet, a weaver's comb, and a shuttle. Painted in ink and colors on wood.

Credit line: © British Museum

(Executive Editor: Ye Ke)