Conserving Vulture Peak | Episode 10: Stitching the support fabric

In this episode Hannah describes how they go about stitching the support fabric to the front of the embroidery to keep things in place.
The embroidery dates from China’s Tang dynasty (AD 618-907). It depicts the Buddha preaching at Vulture Peak - in Buddhist tradition a favourite retreat of the Buddha and his disciples, located in what is now north-east India.
It was discovered by archaeologist Sir Aurel Stein (1862-1943) who, while exploring the many caves at Dunhuang, discovered a walled up cave. Behind this wall was a library full of manuscripts paintings and textiles, including this astonishing embroidery.
Watch the rest of the ‘Conserving Vulture Peak’ series here: goo.gl/FXoBK2
The tapestry is part of a collection donated to the British Museum by the archaeologist Sir Aurel Stein (1862-1943).
You can find more information in the collection online goo.gl/7B4W81

[@verdatum]

This series is an absolute treasure. It's a shame more users aren't aware that this channel exists.

[@KerrieRedgate]

This has been marvellous, to see all the delicate care that goes into preserving our human heritage. What an extraordinary work of embroidery this was in the 8th century! And an extraordinary restoration process! And as a Buddhist, this is especially heart-warming for me. Many thanks for allowing us to see this up close.

[@jeffreyquinn3820]

An interesting aspect of the Dunhuang/Mogao preservation efforts in the late 19th- and early 20th-century is that they were carried out by a group of Daoist priests with support from local and regional Confucian officials, during an era which was not known for interreligion cooperation. I'm somewhat surprised that the CPC hasn't made more of this as an example of national Chinese identity.

[@novicepilotaviator5868]

Fabulous restoration work, ladies. Thank you for sharing this, and so grateful to all of you amazing people doing this most delicate restoration work.

[@worldgeektube]

Next time I'm in the museum I'll be looking at the exhibits in a new way. Thank you for sharing this 'backstage' view.

[@johnnysimpson135]

I'm actually very sick tonight and had to cancel plans, and the fact that this part came out made me so happy!

[@johnirvine662]

This has been a fascinating series. Thank you for sharing with us the conservation of this wonderful embroidery.

[@DaleCalderCampobello]

I've enjoyed watching this series very much.

[@rlund651]

Thanks for sharing. Nice to see in behinds the seen restoration. I had no idea what a delicate and detailed process it is.

[@Litzbitz]

MADE MY BACK ACHE WATCHING YOU BOTH BENT OVER LIKE THAT. HOW DO YOU AEE TO THREAD A NEEDLE. ENJOYED WATCHING THE PROCESS. FASCINATING!

[@pjbth]

You guys need to harness up and go Mission Impossible style over the object so you don't have to bend and stretch over it to work.

[@asyoz]

True! I've seen similar things on other conservancy videos, some set up rails alongside the item and have a literal bed on wheels running on the rails. They're awesome!

[@rich1051414]

@@asyoz They have these in factories. I know for a fact they use them in sailmaking.

[@taylorMistfang]

The Smithsonian did something like that when they conserved the Star Spangled Banner a few years ago. I remember actually going to the American History Museum and seeing them work on it. They had originally planed to just take the flag off display to conserve it, but after September 11, 2001 they decided that the public had to be able to see the flag. The British Museum did an amazing job on this embroidery.

[@sail2byzantium]

This is really amazing. Wonderful to watch!

[@devttyUSB0]

I really liked all these 'behind the scenes' videos! Thanks a bundle!! Very informative and interesting. Much precise. So work. Wow. Restecp. Also, Hannah is cute. Okay, bye!

[@holeymattress8128]

Hannah is talented, smart, sweet sounding and beautiful.

[@aparthia]

Are the conservators allowed to listen to radio or something while doing this? Seems like a tedious task to perform in silence.

[@Sanorace]

Those bridges are brilliant. It's probably much easier to do detailed work when you have something to lean on.

[@ifletty]

So interesting.

[@laurencross877]

Hannah, your knit cardigan is lovely! Would you mind saying what pattern it is? It's beautiful! You wear it well.

[@krikeles]

I too was distracted by that lovely little cardigan. I spent the final 3 episodes pausing the video to look at the sweater and plot a reconstruction.

[@pyewackett5]

I find the block of the previous restoration at the bottom a little distracting , but I understand why it had to remain.

[@ingeborg-anne]

That silk thread looks so much like my hair :')

[@user-rm9zx7ln9i]

Cut away at the actual demo?

[@golgumbazguide...4113]

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