Liao Dynasty (907-1125 A.D.)

L32cm: W16.5cm

        This should be a fragment of a large silk robe, in black doup luo gauze. The design is a pair of confronted geese in a scroll roundel. The roundel consists of four separate scrolls starting from the center in coils that spread and intercross as the branches reach the rim of the roundel. Standing on one leg inside the roundel with a lifted bosom and wings,the geese seem ready to hold a ribbon. Used exclusively as a status symbol since the Tang dynasty for high-ranking officials, this confronted geese roundel constituted to serve this purpose into the Liao dynasty. The deceased, YeluYuzhi from whose tomb this textile was found, was a Minister of the Dongdang Kingdom of Liao dynasty, an official of the first rank and therefore was entitled to wear a costume with such symbols. (XY)