Not currently on display at the V&A

Cushion Cover

ca. 1970 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Round cushion cover of bright blue satin weave silk. It has a deep pleated border which would serve as a gusset when a cushion was put inside. The centre is hand embroidered with a peony and bird motif in polychrome untwisted silk yarn mostly in satin stitch and small knots. The back of the cover is of blue plain weave silk with an opening across the width secured with two popper fastenings.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Satin weave silk with polychrome hand embroidery
Brief description
Cushion cover, one of a pair, satin weave silk with polychrome hand embroidery, China, ca. 1970.
Physical description
Round cushion cover of bright blue satin weave silk. It has a deep pleated border which would serve as a gusset when a cushion was put inside. The centre is hand embroidered with a peony and bird motif in polychrome untwisted silk yarn mostly in satin stitch and small knots. The back of the cover is of blue plain weave silk with an opening across the width secured with two popper fastenings.
Dimensions
  • Width: 48.5cm
Gallery label
This brightly-coloured, shiny embroidery was hand produced in large quantities during the second half of the twentieth century. It was mostly made for sale abroad and such pieces feature in Chinese overseas trade catalogues. Sir John Addis may have been given them or he may have bought them at a trade fair or embroidery workshop. Although they were unused when they came into the museum, we should not presume that Sir John found the colours too bold. His collection of modern textiles from Southeast Asia, now held by the Indian and Southeast Asian Department of the V&A, are witness to his liking for vibrant colour schemes.
Credit line
Addis Bequest
Object history
One of a pair of cushion covers, FE.124&A-1983.

Registered File number 1965/3344.
Subjects depicted
Bibliographic references
  • Wilson, Verity. Chinese Textiles. London: V&A Publications, 2005. Image 131, page 118. ISBN 1851774386.
  • Chinese Silk Garments and Embroidery Articles Exported by the China National Textiles Import and Export Corporation. Chinese Export Commodities Exhibition Hall, Star House, Tsimshatsui, Hong Kong, March 1979.
Collection
Accession number
FE.124-1983

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Record createdFebruary 12, 2000
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