Mogao Cave 17: Sutra Wrapper

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty

This sutra wrapper was discovered in Mogao Cave 17, also known as the Library Cave, in the early 20th century. It dates to the 8th century during the Tang dynasty.
This rectangular wrapper is made of thin bamboo strips held together with colored silk threads. Two types of design are featured in between the plain bands: the narrow bands have simple geometric patterns, while the wide bands have more complex floral patterns and are more colorful with the use of blue thread. A Chinese character is displayed in one corner, likely as a means of identifying the sutra stored in the wrapper.