Physical description
Cushion cover of pattern woven yellow satin and silk. In the centre, a frontal, five-clawed dragon chasing a flaming pearl amid clouds, bats, and leafy scrolls; above the dragon's head is a circular form of the character shou (longevity); below the dragon are rocks and waves, all inside an oblong compartment with an undulating outline at the upper end. Outside the compartment are further five-clawed dragons pursuing flaming pearls, amid bats and floral scrolls.
Place of Origin
China (made)
Date
circa 1760-1820 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown
Materials and Techniques
Pattern woven satin and silk
Dimensions
Length: 73.5 cm, Width: 71 cm
Object history note
T.134 to 143-1917 came from Viscountess Olseley whose husband had served with the British forces in China in 1860 and who wrote a book about the campaign and his experiences, in which he comments on the yellow cushions he saw in the Summer Palace and the fact that only members of the imperial family are able to use this colour. The Summer Palace or Yuanmingyuan, located north of Beijing, was destroyed by British and French troops during the Second Opium War in 1860.
Historical context note
Cushion cover for a shaped chair back.
Descriptive line
Cushion cover, pattern woven satin, China, c. 1760-1820
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Wilson, Verity. Chinese textiles. London: V&A publications, 2005. pp. 17 and 105, no. 12 and 117.
Materials
Silk
Techniques
Woven
Categories
Textiles; Interiors
Collection
East Asia Collection