LECTURES AND RECEPTION: ‘SILK ON THE SILK ROAD’
Over a century of archaeology on the eastern Silk Road has resulted in thousands of textile finds, preserved by the dry desert air. In their variety — of material, dyes, designs and weaves — they demonstrate the richness of cultural and technical exchanges among the peoples of the Silk Road.
This afternoon of lectures by scholars, curators and conservators was intended for a general audience, introducing the Silk Road and the textiles collections held in London and worldwide. The lectures were followed by a reception with drinks.
14:00 Welcome
Cordelia Rogerson, Head of Conservation, The British Library
14:15 Silk for Books and Buddhism: the British Library and British Museum Collections
Susan Whitfield, Director, IDP, The British Library
A PDF and a recording of her presentation are available: Susan Whitfield, “Silk for Books and Buddhism”
15:00 Silk in Shoes and Clothing: V&A and British Museum Collections
Helen Persson, Curator Chinese Textiles and Dress, V&A
A PDF and a recording of her presentation are available: Helen Persson, Silk in Shoes and Clothing
Questions
15:45–16:15 Tea & Coffee
16:15 Silk as Money
Helen Wang, Curator, East Asian Money, The British Museum
A PDF and a recording of her presentation are available: Helen Wang, “Silk as Money”
17:00 Silks from the Silk Road
Zhao Feng, Director, The National Silk Museum, China
A PDF and a recording of his presentation are available: Zhao Feng, “Silks from the Silk Road”
Questions