Table hanging and border, satin silk with embroidery in silks and gilt paper thread, China, 19th century

Table hanging and border of red silk satin, embroidered with coloured silks and gilt paper thread. The main design is composed of two pheasants upon conventional rocks, flowering peonies, and bats. The border had three flowering stems. Round both pieces runs a narrow band of interlaced scrolls and rosettes.

Purchased from Mr. P. Kierulff (Villa Peking, Hellerup, Denmark), accessioned in 1901. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Purchase, £1 5s. (1627 to C-191). Registered File number 31783/191.;Note on register:
Table hanging of red satin embroidered in coloured silks with a pair of pheasants perched upon rocks and a couple of flying bats, with small sprays of flower and fungus on the ground and large branches of mutan peony spreading on the surface. Border of blue scrollwork including green flowers of formal outline.;Note on register:
Flap embroidered to match the table hanging, with the same border; sprays of peony and olea fragans, a bat and butterfly in the middle, of peach blossom and acacia on the right, of prunus blossom and bamboo on the left.

1627&A-1901