A rare silk tapestry with a hunting motif: A fusion of Iranian and Chinese art in the Middle Period (220–1600 CE)

Abstract This article presents the first examination and analysis of a fabric fragment with hunting motif discovered in the Uighur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang in present-day northwest China, which has been carbon 14 dated to the Tang dynasty. This study assesses the value of this fragment by considering its artistic features and cultural significance. The fabric patterns are partially incomplete, a hexagonal structure is discernible, and it contains motifs of Central Asian figures hunting on horseback. The iconographic method was used to analyze the pattern, color, and composition of the fabric. It was concluded that the cultural background and aesthetic qualities of the fabric reflect the fusion of Persian, Islamic, and Chinese Tang dynasty cultures, reflecting the profound cultural exchanges between Iran and China. This research exemplifies the mutual cultural exchange between two civilizations, Iran and China, highlighting Iran’s important contribution to the world.