A Tang Dynasty Masterpiece Returns to View After Centuries of Seclusion
In short: Conservationists at the British Museum reveal the front of a rare Chinese embroidery. This delicate textile, which portrays the Buddha at Vulture Peak, was recovered from a hidden library in Dunhuang by explorer Sir Aurel Stein.
The embroidery originates from the Tang dynasty, spanning AD 618 to 907. It illustrates the Buddha delivering a sermon at Vulture Peak, a site in modern-day north-east India traditionally associated with his retreats. Conservators recently inverted the piece to restore its original orientation for public viewing.
The artifact was retrieved by Sir Aurel Stein (1862–1943) during his investigations of the Dunhuang cave network. He encountered a concealed chamber containing a vast array of historical manuscripts, paintings, and fabrics. This specific tapestry was later gifted to the British Museum as part of the collection Stein amassed during his expeditions.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Conserving Vulture Peak | Episode 9: Turning the Embroidery
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