While silk has given its name to the many trade routes linking China with European markets, it was just one of the many luxuries bought and sold along its length.
The term ‘Silk Road’ derives from the German Seidenstraße and was first popularised by Ferdinand von Richthofen who made seven expedition to China between 1868 and 1872. The southern stretches of the Silk Road, from Khotan (Xinjiang) to Eastern China, were first used for jade rather than silk, as far back as 5000 BCE, and is still in use for this purpose. The term "Jade Road" would have been more appropriate than "Silk Road" had it not been for the far larger and geographically wider nature of the silk trade.
Few merchants travelled the full length of the Silk Road routes. Trade was carried out in relays with merchants transporting goods within certain areas then selling them on to the next dealer. Goods might be traded many times along the route before they reached their final buyer. Most specialised in a limited range of highly prized goods chosen for their ability to attract high prices and their ability to be easily transported. So what made the luxury lists of long ago?
Few merchants travelled the full length of the Silk Road routes. Trade was carried out in relays with merchants transporting goods within certain areas then selling them on to the next dealer. Goods might be traded many times along the route before they reached their final buyer. Most specialised in a limited range of highly prized goods chosen for their ability to attract high prices and their ability to be easily transported. So what made the luxury lists of long ago?
Silk
This was the favourite product, regarded as a treasure in Central and Western Asia, Europe and Africa. The Roman rich paid huge sums to acquire it and it is estimated the Roman Empire exported as much as 130 tonnes (143 tons) of gold each year to buy silk. Silk was the ideal commodity for Silk Road trade. A caravan’s carrying capacity was limited so products needed to be lightweight and of high value, and silk fitted these characteristics exactly.
This was the favourite product, regarded as a treasure in Central and Western Asia, Europe and Africa. The Roman rich paid huge sums to acquire it and it is estimated the Roman Empire exported as much as 130 tonnes (143 tons) of gold each year to buy silk. Silk was the ideal commodity for Silk Road trade. A caravan’s carrying capacity was limited so products needed to be lightweight and of high value, and silk fitted these characteristics exactly.
Porcelain
Porcelain was also highly prized in the West and even surpassed silk in the later Silk Road era when silk exports began to decline as silk-making techniques spread through Asia and Europe. It was during the Han Dynasty era (206 BC – 220 AD) that the first kinds of brightly-colored porcelain were manufactured and sent westwards, and especially during the Tang and Yuan (1279–1368) eras, fine porcelain pieces were produced in massive quantities and exported. The 17th and 18th centuries were the golden age of the export of Chinese porcelain. About 200,000 pieces were exported annually in the 17th century. In the 18th century, sales peaked at about a million units a year.
Porcelain was also highly prized in the West and even surpassed silk in the later Silk Road era when silk exports began to decline as silk-making techniques spread through Asia and Europe. It was during the Han Dynasty era (206 BC – 220 AD) that the first kinds of brightly-colored porcelain were manufactured and sent westwards, and especially during the Tang and Yuan (1279–1368) eras, fine porcelain pieces were produced in massive quantities and exported. The 17th and 18th centuries were the golden age of the export of Chinese porcelain. About 200,000 pieces were exported annually in the 17th century. In the 18th century, sales peaked at about a million units a year.
Horses.
Horses from central Asia were China’s most prized import. The soil in China lacked Selenium, a deficiency which contributed to muscular weakness and reduced growth in horses. Consequently, horses in China were too frail to support the weight of a Chinese soldier. The Chinese needed the superior horses that nomads bred on the Eurasian steppes, and nomads wanted things only agricultural societies produced, such as grain and silk. The need for horses is actually what spurred the Han Dynasty to begin regular Silk Road trade in the 2nd century BCE.
Horses from central Asia were China’s most prized import. The soil in China lacked Selenium, a deficiency which contributed to muscular weakness and reduced growth in horses. Consequently, horses in China were too frail to support the weight of a Chinese soldier. The Chinese needed the superior horses that nomads bred on the Eurasian steppes, and nomads wanted things only agricultural societies produced, such as grain and silk. The need for horses is actually what spurred the Han Dynasty to begin regular Silk Road trade in the 2nd century BCE.
Woollen products
Sheep were largely unknown in eastern Asia so woollen products were highly desirable in China, imported from Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Woollen clothes, carpets, curtains, blankets and rugs impressed the Chinese, because they were unfamiliar with the methods of wool processing, carpet manufacture, and weaving. Parthian tapestries and carpets were highly appreciated in the ancient courts.
Sheep were largely unknown in eastern Asia so woollen products were highly desirable in China, imported from Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Woollen clothes, carpets, curtains, blankets and rugs impressed the Chinese, because they were unfamiliar with the methods of wool processing, carpet manufacture, and weaving. Parthian tapestries and carpets were highly appreciated in the ancient courts.
Food
China imported more exotic food than it exported. Tea was the main food export from China especially along the Tea-Horse Road route. Initially, during the Han era, traders brought in grape seeds. Much of Eurasia had cultivated grapevines and made wines from time immemorial, but the Han, separated from other civilizations by seas, extreme deserts, and high mountains, thought grapes a novelty and were surprised that people made wine from them.
Other exotic vegetable and fruit imports included:
China imported more exotic food than it exported. Tea was the main food export from China especially along the Tea-Horse Road route. Initially, during the Han era, traders brought in grape seeds. Much of Eurasia had cultivated grapevines and made wines from time immemorial, but the Han, separated from other civilizations by seas, extreme deserts, and high mountains, thought grapes a novelty and were surprised that people made wine from them.
Other exotic vegetable and fruit imports included:
- String beans from central and south America
- Sesame seeds from central Asia
- Onions from central or west Asia
- Spinach from Nepal
- Eggplants, cucumbers and watermelons from India
- Carrots, pomegranates, dates and pistachios from Persia (now Iran)
Spices and perfumes
The Arabs dominated the spices and perfumes trade. They traded spices to China and Europe and monopolized the trade in India and East Africa. By the 10th century, the trade in Europe was almost entirely controlled by Arab traders. Persian saffron was especially prized. China also produced spices, but the variety was very limited due to geographical limitations. Its main spices — cloves and musk — were sold to the West along with silks and porcelain. Sandalwood from India and myrrh and frankincense from Somalia were also traded.
The Arabs dominated the spices and perfumes trade. They traded spices to China and Europe and monopolized the trade in India and East Africa. By the 10th century, the trade in Europe was almost entirely controlled by Arab traders. Persian saffron was especially prized. China also produced spices, but the variety was very limited due to geographical limitations. Its main spices — cloves and musk — were sold to the West along with silks and porcelain. Sandalwood from India and myrrh and frankincense from Somalia were also traded.
Glassware
Glassware was one of the main commodities imported into China from the West. Glassware was another novelty, considered a luxury good in Silk Road era. The Romans and then Samarkand (SE Uzbekistan) made glassware that was especially valued due to its high quality and transparency. Glass bottles from Egypt were highly sought after. Ancient/medieval glassware from west Asia has been unearthed in China, Japan, and Korea.
Glassware was one of the main commodities imported into China from the West. Glassware was another novelty, considered a luxury good in Silk Road era. The Romans and then Samarkand (SE Uzbekistan) made glassware that was especially valued due to its high quality and transparency. Glass bottles from Egypt were highly sought after. Ancient/medieval glassware from west Asia has been unearthed in China, Japan, and Korea.
