Piece
Unknown Artist
early 18th century
Medium
Silk, metallic thread
Dimensions
11 1/4 x 4 3/4 in. (28.57 x 12.07 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Nellie B. Hussey, 1942
Accession Number
42.115.47
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk textile, woven with shimmering metallic threads, hails from early 18th-century China during the Qing dynasty1644–1911). Measuring a compact 11¼ x 4¾ inches, it exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of the period, likely created as a decorative panel or accessory. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of in 1942 by Mrs. Nellie B. Hussey, it now resides in the Asian Art department, classified among woven textiles. The design features majestic dragons amid swirling clouds, powerful motifs in Chinese imperial art. Dragons symbolized the emperor's supreme authority, strength, and ...