Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 220)

Excavated from Trench 2 at the cemetery in Sampula in Lop County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 1983

This fragmentary textile is woven from blue, red, yellow, green and black wool in the kesi tapestry technique: onto the constructed foundation warp areas of colour are separately woven. In this example, both warp and weft are two-ply. The design is in two sections. In the upper section is a creature with the head and torso of a human joined to the body of a horse against a blue background. It is blowing on a long horn-like instrument. Encircling this is a series of quatrefoil. Half-human half-horse creatures, called centaurs, are well known in Greek mythology. They also figure in India and Xinjiang legends.

In the lower section a warrior holds a long spear against a red background. The large eyes with a steady gaze, the straight nose, full lips, hair tied in two parts, all are carefully depicted. A pattern of quatrefoils is shown on the lapels of the robe.

At the time this textile was unearthed, it had been sewn onto a pair of trousers.