166 - A RARE SILK SAMITE FRAGMENT WITH MEDALLIONS AND A MYTHICAL BEAST

A RARE SILK SAMITE FRAGMENT WITH MEDALLIONS AND A MYTHICAL BEAST Central Asia, Sogdiana, 7th–8th centuries. 50.8 × 91.4 cm. Of irregular rectangular shape. Woven with large, linked, pearl-bordered medallions (lianzhuwen) framing a mythical winged, four-legged beast against a ground filled with flying birds and floral spandrel ornaments. The upper edge is tailored with an armhole cutout, forming part of a garment panel, likely from a tunic or robe. Provenance: - American private collection, acquired before 2001. - Bonhams, Massachusetts. - European trade. This remarkable textile fragment exemplifies the famed polychrome silk samites (zandaniji) produced along the Central Asian Silk Road. Although crafted using raw silk imported from China, the textile was masterfully woven in workshops specifically within the historical region of Sogdiana during the 7th to 8th centuries. The composition centers on a repeating grid of pearl-bordered medallions (lianzhuwen 连珠纹), a signature motif derived from Sasanian Persian prototypes that was widely adopted across Central Asia and Tang-dynasty China. The interior of the main roundel encloses a mythical beast—likely a stylized Simurgh (senmurv) or a winged feline/griffin—accentuated by delicate floating motifs, floral spandrel fillers, and outward-facing birds in flight within the interspaces. The structural cutout in the upper left demonstrates the tailoring typical of elite Silk Road costume, where precious patterned silks were directly cut and shaped into robes, tunics, or caftans across Central Asian, Tibetan, and Tang aristocratic contexts. * The full tax is charged on this item marked *; that is, VAT will be charged on the total amount but refunded to purchasers who provide a validly stamped export declaration. Due to new EU import regulations, it may no longer be possible to import this item after June 28, 2025. If you intend to do so, please contact the department before bidding.