Museum Updates
Gilt bronze silkworms witness thriving silk industry in ancient Dingzhou
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
China Bound
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Meet these two adorable gilt bronze silkworms from the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24). Despite some of their gilding having worn away, their charm and craftsmanship still shine through.
Each silkworm has nine carefully carved body segments, complete with tiny legs underneath. Their poses are full of life: one stretches forward with its tail slightly raised, while the other forms a wave-like curve. The heads are finely detailed and strikingly realistic.
Discovered in 1969 beneath the pagoda base of Jingzhi Temple in Dingzhou, Hebei province, these miniature masterpieces are a testament to the region’s thriving silk industry in ancient China. Collection: Dingzhou Museum.
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