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0354 On Ancient Central-Asian Tracks : vol.1
On Ancient Central-Asian Tracks : vol.1 / Page 354 (Color Image)

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doi: 10.20676/00000214
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Some idea of their extent and varied interest may be
deduced from the fact that though their examination was
started very soon after my return to England early in 1909,
with the eager help of quite a number of very competent
expert collaborators, and though a large part of the results
has since been published in my Serindia volumes and else-
where, there are still certain tasks awaiting completion.
Obviously the plentiful remains of ancient Buddhist
paintings and drawings which had once served for the
decoration of the sacred caves or been deposited there as
pious ex-votos have most claim to the interest of the general
public. All of these art remains, numbering close on 500
pieces, apart from small fragments, have been carefully
treated by expert hands at the British Museum and ren-
dered safe for future preservation. Descriptive lists of all
of them have been embodied in my publication, Serindia,
and characteristic specimens fully illustrated and discussed
by Mr. Laurence Binyon and myself in the portfolio of The
Thousand Buddhas. In a volume published by the British
Museum, Mr. A. Waley has furnished a detailed catalogue
of all these pictorial relics. A cursory account of them will
be given in the next chapter.
It is impossible to find room here for a description of the
manifold decorated silk fabrics comprising a great variety
of figured silks besides tapestry work, embroideries and
prints recovered from the walled-up chapel (Fig. 90). So
great is the abundance and interest of these fine products
of China's ancient and justly famous textile art. But I may
at least give some indication, however cursory, of the wealth
of manuscript remains brought to light there. It will help
to illustrate that remarkable interchange of influences from