Research on the Gold Necklace Unearthed from the Tomb of Li Jingxun of the Sui Dynasty

Abstract

The gold necklace and bracelet unearthed from the Sui Dynasty tomb of Li Jingxun exhibit profound exotic characteristics, making them a focal point of debate regarding Silk Road art provenance. While previous studies have proposed Persian, Byzantine, or Indian origins based on fragmented stylistic similarities, this paper re-evaluates these artifacts by integrating archaeological, material, iconographic, and historical contexts. By examining the Li family’s Xianbei heritage and their integration into the “Hu” (foreign) cultural sphere, this study contextualizes the artifacts within ancient globalization. Through a detailed comparative analysis of materials (gemstones and pearls), techniques (polyhedral beads), stylistic structures, and symbolic iconography (intaglio deer and the Great Goddess/tree motif), this research argues that the jewelry likely originated from the Sogdia or Bactria regions. The findings suggest that these artifacts are products of Central Asian craftsmen utilizing extensive Silk Road trade networks, intentionally acquired by elite patrons whose cross-cultural backgrounds allowed them to decode and appreciate the fertility and protective symbolism embedded in the jewelry.