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China 19th-20th c. Silk and Gold Threads on Cotton Felt Fabric Width: 141" (358cm) x Height: 36.25" (92cm) |
 Detail: Additional Image 2 This is a wonderful antique Chinese altar tapestry. It would originally have been hung from the front of a grand altar, or hung on the wall above and behind the altar. It is cotton felt embroidered with repeating patterns of dragons, lions, and phoenix embroidered in silk thread. The embroidery is outlined with appliqued gold threads and the length of the tapestry is divided into three bands by running patterns of appliqued gold threads. Following the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901), a certain American Army officer was assigned to duty in China as part of the American and international forces which suppressed the uprising. According to his family's lore, he acquired this altar tapestry from a temple and brought it back to the United States. The bottom fringe was added by his wife in the 1940's, but is only loosely attached and could easily be removed to return the tapestry to its original configuration. It originally had fabric ties at the top by which it hung. Many of those ties are now gone, but you can insert a cord through the gold border at the top and hang it in that manner. Detail: Additional Image 1 |
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