 Silk textiles not only a valuable commodity, but also priceless works of art
Added: 10/19/2005 |
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Silk textiles are now the symbols of beauty and value, but their role in history is absolutely amazing. It went farther than just being a result of a routine manufacturing procedure, reaching the status of the ultimate treasure and the guarantee of esteem and public respect. Ancient written records of Asia expressively testify to the role of silk textiles in the Oriental civilization.
It is a proven fact that formerly at the early stages of the development of the political system of ancient states, silk textiles were of utmost importance not only in economy, but also in politics and culture. At that time the textiles were one of the things that were very telling of the social status of a person. Besides, in Buddhism textiles served for the decoration of sacred places as well as for conveying images that were thought to possess spiritual powers.
Silk textiles presented great value not only for the Imperial family of China, but also served as a means of protecting it from the aggression of neighboring countries, meaning that there was a fixed annual amount of silk given away to bordering countries in order to preserve peace.
Moreover, silk textiles were widely used as a type of currency as well as a means to pay taxes.
By the way of spreading silk products, merchants traveling across Asia spread artistic designs and ideas, which further formed the basis of various Oriental decorative arts, including ceramics.
Silk textiles with their magnificent patterns and designs not only feast the eye of the beholder, but also provide an invaluable treasure house of the history, traditions and mentality of Southern Asian nations. They open a curious researcher a vivid picture of the cultural and economic development and religious beliefs of the whole countries. Weaving silk is invariably tightly intertwined with the most ancient customs and traditions of the region of silk textiles production. Silk production is an extremely meticulous and effort-consuming procedure; the pace of work on a sophisticatedly patterned fabric is very slow, even for experienced weavers.
Despite this fact, women have developed a great fascination of silk textiles. They enjoyed immensely the chance that it gave them to state their social position. It was a tradition among the young women to weave the fabric for the clothes they were going to wear for their wedding ceremony as well as the household fabrics to start family life with. Embroidered pieces of silk cloth could also serve as a sign of respect or love, such gifts were also presented by Chinese women with a view to display their skill.
Silk textiles are an inseparable part of a great number of religious ceremonies, especially the ones that are believed to be the most important in a person's life (such as the celebration of birth or a young man's entering the monastery). Besides, it is an honored tradition to cover the coffin of the deceased with elaborate silks in order to show profound respect and assure that the bright and sophisticated cloth will attract benign spirits to the soul that will protect it later on.
Silk is produced in many countries all over the world now, but Thai silk and Japanese silk are known for their impeccable quality and immaculate design. For example, the Japanese silk is woven out of much thinner threads that are tightly connected, making the Japanese silk fabric very durable and perfect for silk flyleaves.
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