65” Antique Chinese Embroidered Silk Textile Panel Phoenix & Peonies c. 1915

Description

View 65” Antique Chinese Embroidered Silk Textile Panel Phoenix & Peonies c. 1915 with current marketplace pricing, condition, product images and item details. Where it is used: Used heavily on the phoenix plumage and the color blending (shading) of the peonies. Up for sale is a beautiful, authentic antique Chinese silk embroidery panel. This striking textile features a vibrant, rich red silk silk background adorned with highly detailed hand-embroidery. Provenance: Purchased in China c. 1915 by my husband’s maternal grandfather, George Mueller. He was a German engineer working in China at the time. Region of Origin: China Primary Material: Silk Age: 1915, Early Republican Era Original/Reproduction: Original Measurements: 65” wide and 15” tall **Item Overview:** Up for sale is a beautiful, authentic antique Chinese silk embroidery panel. This striking textile features a vibrant, rich red silk silk background adorned with highly detailed hand-embroidery. The central design showcases dual Chinese Phoenixes (Fenghuang) gracefully positioned between blooming pink and turquoise peony flowers—traditional symbols representing prosperity, high status, and a happy union. The textile features a distinctive, elegantly scalloped hand-finished border with a contrasting silk trim. It contains classical Chinese Hand Embroidery (specifically in the historical style of Guangdong/Canton or Beijing/Peking luxury work) and is executed using a combination of traditional Chinese silk stitching techniques.The piece relies on a mix of the following primary stitches to create its detailed, textured appearance: 1. Satin Stitch (Ping Xiu) Where it is used: This is the dominant stitch used to fill in the large, flat surfaces of the peony flower petals and the bodies of the phoenixes. The Technique: Long, perfectly straight silk stitches are laid side-by-side in parallel lines. Because it uses untwisted silk thread, it catches the light across the flat surface, creating a brilliant, paint-like sheen that gives the flowers their vibrant depth. 2. Long and Short Stitch (Ta Xiu) Where it is used: Used heavily on the phoenix plumage and the color blending (shading) of the peonies. The Technique: Stitches of interlocking, alternating lengths are woven into one another. This allows the artisan to seamlessly "paint with thread," shifting from deep turquoise to light blue, or vivid pink to soft cream, without harsh, sudden color breaks. 3. Stem and Outline Stitch (Xian Wen) Where it is used: Used to form the stems of the peony flowers, the thin tendrils of the vines, and the sharp, clean borders defining the shapes of the birds. The Technique: A tight, continuous overlapping line stitch that creates a rope-like, raised outline to give the flat satin stitching structure and boundary. 4. Couching Stitch (Pan Jin Xiu) Where it is used: Look closely at the outer borders, the centers of the flowers, or the accent ridges on the phoenix tails. The Technique: Instead of threading a thick decorative cord (or wrapped metallic thread) through the silk fabric, the heavy thread is laid completely flat on top of the red silk surface. A second, microscopic silk thread is then stitched over it at regular intervals to "anchor" or tie it down to the ground fabric. **Condition Report:** This is a genuine antique textile and shows normal signs of age. * Please review all photos carefully as they form part of the description. * Embroidery threads remain quite vibrant. * Minor faint surface smudges, creased from folded storage, but no shattering to the main red silk ground, some loose threads, small creased pieces on ends (shown in photo 12) **Shipping & Handling:** The textile will be shipped lightly rolled or gently folded inside a sturdy box to prevent harsh creasing during transit. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or if you require additional close-up photos! This will be wrapped in acid free tissue paper before adding other packing. Category: Antiques › Asian Antiques › China › Other Chinese Antiques.

Primary Material

Silk & Fabric

Color

Red, blue, purple, pink, white and more

Original/Reproduction

Antique Original

Region of Origin

China

Country of Origin

China

Age

1900-1940

Maker

Hand made