Loading

Velvet panel with stylized auspicious symbols

Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

Asian Art Museum

Asian Art Museum
San Francisco, United States

This long velvet panel is designed as a chair or cushion cover. It is decorated with auspicious motifs that, combined, celebrate a divine world of happiness, longevity, and nobility for whomever sits on it. The motifs are a lion playing with a brocade ball; an infinity knot surrounded by stylized bats and clouds; a dragon rising from the mythical Eastern Ocean; and a single bat carrying the character xi, for double happiness. A person would sit on the infinity knot, lean back against the powerful dragon full of cosmic energy, and contemplate the images of the dancing lion and the bat elsewhere on the seat.

The use of two colors in the warp-in this case bright peach and gold-to create a pattern is the most common method of weaving multicolor satin velvets.

Show lessRead more
  • Title: Velvet panel with stylized auspicious symbols
  • Date Created: Qing dynasty (1644-1911)
  • Location Created: China
  • Physical Dimensions: H. 325.1 cm x W. 50.8 cm
  • Type: Textiles
  • Medium: Two-color satin velvet with cut decoration
  • Credit Line: The Avery Brundage Collection, B69M8.a
Asian Art Museum

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Interested in Design?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites