Relations
Anonymous, Sung Dynasty (960-1279)
Hanging scroll, silk gauze embroidery, 116.6 x 62.6 cm

Chinese Tapestry & Embroidery

Relations
Embroidered in color here are a phoenix, mandarin ducks, pied wagtails, orioles, and cranes, shown in flight or perched, in the sky or water, or among hibiscus, bamboo, and firmania, respectively, suggesting a classic arrangement alluding to the five human relations in Confucian thought.

Gauze embroidery uses gauze as the base with silk threads for the decoration. The composition and embroidery here are exceptional. The patterns were embroidered using a technique in which each stitch spans two strands of the weft in the loosely woven surface of the foundation. The needle passes over these two threads in a vertical direction perpendicular to the weft. The process is repeated until the interior of the design has been completely filled with embroidery, producing a rather schematic effect. The outlines are rendered most prominently. Different color threads were skillfully used to suggest shading and volume. Unfortunately, the throat patch and dark threads of the crane's tail feathers and disintegrated, so later restorers touched them in with ink.

Embroideries are mostly small works, so this large early piece is exceptionally important and rare.

Four Magpies in Early Spring
Anonymous, Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368)
Hanging scroll, silk embroidery, 87 x 48.5 cm

Four Magpies in Early Spring
In this embroidered silk scroll, decorative rocks, narcissi, camellias, and plum blossoms are all elaborately presented using colorful threads of silk woven onto an indigo-dyed base.

The motifs here are all symbolic for the arrival of a prosperous and bountiful spring. The branches laden with springtime plum blossoms and the two pairs of magpies are also symbolic of joy and happiness. Unfortunately, the threads of the trunk of the plum tree have disintegrated towards the branch tips, exposing the white base threads and greatly reducing the original effect.

The grasses on the slope have also been embellished by brush. The elegant and fine use of needle and thread is in keeping with the style found in the Yuan dynasty.

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