明 緙絲蟠桃獻壽圖|Immortal Holding a Peach

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silk tapestry, titled *Immortal Holding a Peach* (明 緙絲蟠桃獻壽圖), hails from 16th-century Ming dynasty China (1368–1644), a golden age for imperial arts. Woven in the intricate *kesi* technique—a slit-tapestry method using fine silk threads dissolved at the edges for seamless detail—the artwork measures 46 x 24 inches. Created by an unknown artist, likely in a court workshop, it showcases the precision and vibrancy of Ming textiles, where colors like rich golds, reds, and greens evoke ethereal beauty without a single brushstroke. At its heart, the piece depicts a serene immortal cr...