• Additional view of object
  • Additional view of object
  • Additional view of object
  • Additional view of object
Oct 13, 2015
Oct 13, 2015
Oct 13, 2015

Dragons Chasing Flaming Pearls

Dragons Chasing Flaming Pearls

龍戲珠紋織品

1200s or earlier

Central China, 13th century or earlier

Tapestry, silk and gold thread

Overall: 60 x 32 cm (23 5/8 x 12 5/8 in.)

Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund 1988.33

Location

not on view

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Description

Although the theme of dragons chasing the flaming pearl is Chinese, the eccentric form of the dragons and the way they have been crowded together are not. Other kesi woven with this design preserve parts of a bracketed medallion resembling the so-called cloud-collars worn in Central Asia. The intended purpose of kesi with cloud-collar medallions is not clear. Considering that cloud-collars were worn in Central Asia, these tapestries may have been woven for use as clothing. Hong Hao (1088-1155), a Chinese emissary, reported that the Uyghurs wove robes of kesi. Cloud-collar medallions, however, were also used in other decorative contexts, and it is possible that tapestries such as these served other purposes.

See also
Collection: 
Textiles
Department: 
Textiles
Type of artwork: 
Textile
Medium: 
Tapestry, silk and gold thread
Credit line: 
Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund

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