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Brocade with Djeiran Gazing at the Moon

1115–1234
(1115-1234)
Silk and gold thread; tabby, brocaded
Overall: 109.8 x 38.5 cm (43 1/4 x 15 3/16 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1991.4
Location: not on view
Public Domain
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Did You Know?

The gold-brocaded pattern is repeated in staggered rows with alternating orientations.

Description

The mysterious image of a deerlike animal gazing up at the moon among clouds has been variously interpreted over many centuries. The animal, lying down with one foreleg extended and looking back, originated as a djeiran, or Central Asian antelope. Commonly appearing on Sogdian silver from the 600s onward, the motif migrated via the trade routes to northern China. There, during the Jin and Yuan (1279–1368) dynasties, it was very popular and always depicted with the moon supported by clouds. Chinese writers often identify the djeiran as the mythical rhinoceros (xi'niu) that is said to gaze at the moon, or as the cow of Wu "panting upon seeing the moon."
Brocade with Djeiran Gazing at the Moon

Brocade with Djeiran Gazing at the Moon

1115–1234

China, Jin dynasty (1115-1234)

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