The purpose of the Paper is to discuss the broad categories of painted and printed pictorial works of the Tang and Five Dynasties period from Dunhuang Mogao Cave 17 which were made for devotional purpose. These pictorial works are kept in the British Museum, which are made up of approximately 220 items on silk and paper, a substantial group of fragments of painted silk and about 30 prints. The fine paintings consists of paradise paintings, single images with complex arrays of accompanying figures, and banners. The diverse pictorial material reveals the existence of an extensive industry for the manufacture of devotional works at Dunhuang over several centuries. The finest and most elaborate works were clearly commissioned by wealthy grorps or individuals, but there was large - scale production of cheaper works on silk and paper for purchase by passing pilgrims.
