When Silk Was Gold / By James C. Y. Watt and Anne E. Wardwell; Translated by Xu Qiang et al.; Reviewed by Zhao Feng

"When Silk Was Gold" is the first catalog devoted to the luxurious silks and embroideries produced in Central Asia and China between the 8th and 15th centuries. Originating from a landmark exhibition held in 1998 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Cleveland Museum of Art, this catalog brings together 64 treasures from these two world-class institutions. Most of these holdings date from the Mongol period, but also include significant textiles from the Tang dynasty to the Ming dynasty. These textiles not only showcase the exquisite techniques of the era but also, through their evolving technologies and designs, reflect the shifting balance of power between Central Asia and China, transforming with the rise and fall of dynasties and the expansion and collapse of empires. The finest products from royal embroidery and weaving workshops were often presented as gifts by emperors and royal family members to other rulers, envoys, and dignitaries. Luxurious textiles were also coveted as high-value commodities, traveling across Eurasia in unprecedented quantities and forming the backbone of international commerce. With the end of the outward-looking expansionist policies after the Yongle Emperor of the Ming dynasty, the decline of the Silk Road, and the rapid growth of maritime trade, the once-thriving terrestrial economy and cultural exchange came to an abrupt halt; intrepid travelers no longer transported silks between Europe and Asia, nor did artisans journey afar. Yet, the surviving remnants from that marvelous era stand as testaments to a golden age when silk was as precious as gold. Full Title: When Silk Was Gold: Central Asian and Chinese Textiles from the 8th to the 15th Century ISBN: 978-988-237-306-8 Binding: Hardcover Language: Chinese and English Bilingual Pages: 280 Dimensions: 280 x 210 mm **About the Authors** **James C. Y. Watt** Emeritus Chairman of the Department of Asian Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, USA. Born in Hong Kong, he graduated from Oxford University. He studied under scholars such as Sir Percival David, Lo Hsiang-lin, and Jao Tsung-i, and was the founding director of the Art Museum at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. **Anne E. Wardwell** Master of Arts from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, USA. Textile historian and curator, she formerly served as the Head of the Textile Department at The Cleveland Museum of Art. **Reviewer** **Zhao Feng** Doctoral supervisor at Zhejiang University, Donghua University, and Zhejiang Sci-Tech University; Honorary Director of the China National Silk Museum; Member of the Executive Committee of the International Council of Museums. **Translator** Xu Qiang Doctoral candidate at Donghua University. Research interests include the history of ancient Chinese dyeing and weaving and the history of ancient Japanese dyeing and weaving.