Panel (Kesi) with a Phoenix and Other Birds
Unknown Artist
17th century
Medium
Silk, gilt paper, feathers
Dimensions
34 5/8 x 23 1/4 in. (87.9 x 59.1 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Tapestries
Culture & Period
China · Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Gifts in memory of Jean E. Mailey, 1994
Accession Number
1994.363
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Panel (Kesi) with a Phoenix and Other Birds*, created in 17th-century China during the late Ming dynasty (1368–1644), showcases the pinnacle of imperial textile artistry. Crafted using the intricate kesi technique—a form of slit-tapestry weaving on silk—the panel incorporates gilt paper and feathers for a luxurious, shimmering effect. Measuring 34 5/8 x 23 1/4 inches, it depicts a majestic phoenix amid other birds, likely surrounded by floral motifs, evoking the natural harmony revered in Chinese aesthetics. The phoenix, or *fenghuang*, holds profound cultural symbolism as a d...