Author(s)

Qiwang Zhao

Corresponding Author

Qiwang Zhao

Abstract

In Tang Dynasty, people used brocade and other fabrics to decorate the collars, sleeves and fronts of their gowns. The custom can also be found in Sogdian murals of Central Asia, which has been discussed in previous study. This paper observes and compares image materials, and finds out that this kind of gown appeared in China in the Northern Qi Dynasty. These gowns have decorated sleeves, as well as hems decorated with brocade with pearl roundel patterns. In this paper, through observing murals of the Central Asia, stone burial objects for Sogdian people entering China and images carved in gold and silver wares, the author analyzes the style, the position, the popular situation and the eastward spreading of partial decoration of Sogdian gowns. Images related to sleeve decorations are also collected and compared. This kind of decoration originated in Sogdian can also be found in Tubo and Uighur gowns, which are also studied through the method of image comparison.

Keywords

The Northern Qi Dynasty; partial decoration; arm; brocade with pearl roundel pattern; Sogdian; Tubo