Panel thumbnail 1
Panel thumbnail 2
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Panel

1700-1825 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This embroidered hanging depicts the martyrdom of St Sebastian (traditionally believed to have taken place around 288). The red silk background (now faded) is the colour associated with the commemoration of Christian martyrs in the Roman Catholic Church. This textile was probably used during a religious procession. It may have been produced by Chinese embroiderers in Macao or Canton, either for Portuguese colonial settlers in Macau, or for export to Portuguese colonies.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Panel
  • Panel
  • Panel
Materials and techniques
Satin silk, embroidered with silks
Brief description
Panel, satin silk embroidered with coloured silks, made in Guangzhou, Macau or Philippines, China, Qing dynasty, 1700-1825
Physical description
Panel, a picture of St Sebastian tied to a tree and pierced with arrows; red silk satin embroidered with coloured silks.
Dimensions
  • Weight: 10.5kg (weight of textile stored on roller and support pole)
  • Top width: 1380mm
  • Bottom width: 1392mm
  • Proper right length: 1725mm
  • Proper left length: 1715mm
measured 29 Nov 06 at Tex Cons
Object history
St Sebastian came into the museum along with an embroidery of St Anthony of Padua (T.246-1921)

Purchased. Registered File number 1921/4961.
Production
Made in Guangzhou, Macau or Philippines.
Subject depicted
Summary
This embroidered hanging depicts the martyrdom of St Sebastian (traditionally believed to have taken place around 288). The red silk background (now faded) is the colour associated with the commemoration of Christian martyrs in the Roman Catholic Church. This textile was probably used during a religious procession. It may have been produced by Chinese embroiderers in Macao or Canton, either for Portuguese colonial settlers in Macau, or for export to Portuguese colonies.
Bibliographic reference
Wilson, Verity. Chinese textiles. London: V&A publications, 2005, plate 26, p. 27.
Collection
Accession number
T.245:1 to 3-1921

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Record createdOctober 29, 2004
Record URL
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