The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 24, 2024

Phoenix and Tree Peony

Phoenix and Tree Peony

1300s
(1271-1368) - Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
Silk and silver thread: needle-loop embroidery, silvered paper
Overall: 24.4 x 17.6 cm (9 5/8 x 6 15/16 in.)
Gift of David Tremayne 1992.95
Location: not on view

Description

This needle-loop embroidery is distinguished by its exceptionally fine execution. Few other examples incorporate the variety of intricate diaper patterns seen here. Like most needle-loop embroideries, the phoenix is fragmentary. Rows of loops worked over pieces of gilded or silvered paper make needle-loop embroidery quite heavy. On the other hand, the ground fabrics upon which they were executed were usually lightweight silks. Unable to support the embroidery, they simply wore out over time.
  • ?–1992
    David Tremayne, Ltd., London, England, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1992–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Watt, James C. Y., Anne E. Wardwell, and Morris Rossabi. When silk was gold: Central Asian and Chinese textiles. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art in cooperation with the Cleveland Museum of Art: Distributed by H.N. Abrams, 1997. Mentioned: cat. no. 56, pp. 188–189; Reproduced: p. 188
    Chung, Young Yang. Silken Threads: A History of Embroidery in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. New York: H.N. Abrams, 2005. Mentioned: pp. 106–107
  • When Silk Was Gold: Central Asian & Chinese Textiles from the Cleveland and Metropolitan Museums of Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (October 26, 1997-January 4, 1998); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (October 26, 1997-January 4, 1998); The Metropolitan Museum of Art (organizer) (March 2-May 17, 1998); The Metropolitan Museum of Art (organizer) (March 2-May 17, 1998).
  • {{cite web|title=Phoenix and Tree Peony|url=false|author=|year=1300s|access-date=24 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1992.95