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Chinese Qing Silk Embroidered Textile Hanging Altar Frontal
item#: 1197144
price: SOLD
Chinese late Qing dynasty red silk temple hanging or altar frontispiece densely embroidered in metallic-couched and polychrome silk threads with the “Three Star Gods” and other symbols of good fortune, longevity, and happiness. A horizontal panel across the top is embroidered in gold with four padded characters. Reading from right to left, these read “fu (happiness), lu (wealth), shou (longevity), and xi (blessings).” Each character corresponds with one of the figures below. Fuxing, God of Happiness, holds a ruyi scepter, used for granting wishes, and rides atop an elephant. A lady holding a fan rides behind him. Cai Shen, God of Wealth, is depicted riding a deer (lu), which is a homonym for the character for wealth. Shoulao, God of Longevity, holds the peach of immortality while riding a crane. The figure carrying a baby boy and riding a Buddhist lion dog represents blessings through male offspring. The bat, bamboo, pine, and animals depicted all similarly symbolize wealth, happiness, blessings, and longevity. A green band of small mirror accents and a blue band with gilt embroidery surround both panels. The Gods and calligraphy are also padded, there are beaded highlights, and the beards and earrings on the figures are freestanding from the embroidery. Late 19th century. Measures about 33" high (plus 3 3/4” band) by 40 1/4" wide. This textile is in very good overall condition with intact embroidery and no fading evident. There are a few areas of pigment transference and some minor soiling in the red background. There is one small hole in the band (see enlargement). The cotton lining is in very good overall condition. This piece is from the private collection of American expatriates who lived in Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s.

Chinese Qing Silk Embroidered Textile Hanging  Altar Frontal
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