The History and Culture of Chinese Silk

Unpack sericulture and silk craftsmanship in China

As one of the origins of textile culture, China is characterised by silk. The unique sericulture and silk craftsmanship from China is firmly embedded in its cultural heritage. In modern China, silk is not only a fibre material, but also permeates art, culture, economy, and even politics.

On this three-week course, you’ll gain a solid understanding of the silk culture and art that characterises China from a material culture perspective.

You’ll unpack the origins and legends of Chinese silk as you discover exciting archaeological finds and explore Chinese history.

Gain an introduction to the silk road

From the second century BCE, the silk road was a network of routes active for more than 1,500 years.

You’ll explore the silk routes on the road to understand the full scale of this important trade route and how it impacted the Chinese economy.

Explore silk weaving and patterns

Next, you’ll delve into the evolution and development of silk weaving techniques.

You’ll also discover the characteristics of ancient Chinese silk patterns from different dynasties through the years to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese history.

Learn from the experts at the University for the Creative Arts

Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by the specialists at the University for the Creative Arts.

With their expertise, you’ll finish with in-depth knowledge of Chinese silk, its history, and its importance in Chinese culture.

This course is designed for anyone interested in Chinese silk, silk history and culture, and the evolution of textile techniques in different historical periods.

It will be particularly useful for textile students.

This course is designed for anyone interested in Chinese silk, silk history and culture, and the evolution of textile techniques in different historical periods.

It will be particularly useful for textile students.

• Develop an in-depth understanding of Chinese silk culture.
• Classify the artistic features of silk patterns from different dynasties.
• Describe the Silk Road.
• Summarise the development of silk weaving techniques.