Silk
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Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven or knitted into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and a smaller coating of sericin. It is most commonl
Raw silk of domesticated silk worms, showing its natural shine
Four of the most important domesticated silk moths. Top to bottom: B. mori, Hyalophora cecropia, Antheraea pernyi, Samia cynthia. From Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (1885–1892)
Rearing of wild Eri silk worm, Assam
Woven silk textile from tomb no 1. at Mawangdui in China, from the Han dynasty, 2nd century BC
History of silk
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The production of silk originated in Neolithic China within the Yangshao culture. Though it would later reach other places in the world, the art of silk production remained confined to China until the
Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk, a Chinese silk painting by Emperor Huizong of Song, early 12th century.
The cocoon of the domesticated silk moth; unlike wild silk moths, its cocoon is entirely white
Detail of silk ritual garment from a 4th-century BC, Zhou dynasty, China
A lacquerware painting from the Jingmen Tomb (Chinese: 荊門楚墓; Pinyin: Jīngmén chǔ mù) of the State of Chu (704–223 BC), depicting men wearing traditional silk dress and riding in a two horsed chariot