Textile

A large rectangular piece, created by two loom widths sewn together. The right loom width is 70.3 cm and the left loom width is 70.5 cm. The entire textile is divided into two registers by bands of polychrome stripes, two types of interlocking geometric motifs, and bands of three-clawed dragons chasing flaming pearls. The top register shows a central row of four-clawed dragons with a row of phoenixes above and below. Metallic threads were used on details of the dragons and phoenixes. Clouds, two types of flowers (perhaps peonies and chrysanthemums), and flaming pearls are interspersed. This top register has a pattern repeat measuring L: 25 cm, W: 18 cm. The bottom register is the main field and shows rows of children with auspicious objects including taihu rocks, sheng pipes, lotus flowers, bats, lanterns, swords, and butterflies. The pattern repeat for this section is L: 25cm, W: 18cm. Given the proliferation of children, symbols of fertility, as well as the rows of dragons and phoenixes, symbols of marriage, this textile may have been a bedding textile. The entire textile exhibits a red ground that has faded to tan. Thread colors include: green, light and dark blue, yellow, white, brown - paper strips, formerly gilded (probably). Lampas weave. The textile is unbacked and in very delicate condition. Dark stain in the top left corner.