清 緙絲壽字屏條|Panel with Longevity (Shou) Characters
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Silk and metallic thread tapestry (kesi)
Dimensions
79 1/4 x 22 in. (201.29 x 55.88 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Tapestries
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Alice Boney, 1945
Accession Number
45.117.2
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Panel with Longevity (Shou Characters* is a stunning example of 19th-century Qing dynasty (1644–1911) textile artistry from China. Woven in the intricate kesi technique—a finely-tapestry method using silk and shimmering metallic threads—it measures an impressive 79¼ x 22 inches, for adorning a folding screen or room divider. The bold, repeated *shou* (longevity) characters, rendered luxurious gold and vibrant hues, embody the era's fascination with auspicious symbols, wishing eternal health and prosperity to viewers. Kesi weaving, prized for its precision akin to painting with...