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1. A Red Velvet and Gold-Thread Longevity Scroll China 17th/18th century CE 7 feet 4 inches high by 3 feet 10 inches wide (223 cm x 118 cm) |
A large and dramatic red silk velvet panel, with a gold thread woven Chinese character Shou; (longevity). Large Shou symbol scrolls were displayed to wish for longevity of a person on a special birthday. It is rare to find an early woven example remaining in such good condition. The history of this weaving is unknown, except it is said to have come from a French collection. The lack of any small secondary designs suggests it dates to before 1750 CE. The brocade borders also date to that period, suggesting that they are original. |