Panel (Furnishing Fabric)
Late–Ming dynasty (1368–1644)/Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 1650/1700
Medium
Silk, gold-leaf-over-lacquered-paper-strip-wrapped silk, and peacock-feather-strip-wrapped silk, slit tapestry weave with interlaced outlining wefts
Dimensions
239.2 × 171.5 cm (94 1/8 × 67 1/2 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
68837
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Seven pairs of birds in a garden setting convey wishes for conjugal happiness and imply a balance of yin and yang, male and female principles. The imagery would have been appropriate for many family celebrations, from weddings to the birthdays of older family members. Across the top of this piece, a pair of lions playfully confronts a brocaded ball. Lions were associated with Buddhism, and statues of lions often protect the gateways of temples and shrines. They are surrounded by various beribbon...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...