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

Panel

1920s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a decorative roundel made of embroidery on panels of woven silk. It may have been made to be used as a decorative cover for the surface of a side table.

The symbols on the roundel indicate that this would have been used on in interiors for an older person, perhaps even in celebration of a birthday. The central figure is that of the God of Longevity, accompanied by a deer (which is also a longevity symbol). Other symbols contributing to the theme of longevity are the peach, and the butterfly which is the symbol of a person who has attained seventy to eighty years of age.

The previous owner of this piece, Bernard Vuilleumier, collected Chinese textiles such as this one out of an interest in Chinese symbols.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Embroidered silk
Brief description
Circular mirror case, embroidered silk, China, 1920s
Physical description
Circular panel in 9 shaped sections; embroidered silk in various colours with the image of an old man in a red robe, with a wooden staff, with a small spotted yellow deer with a branch sprig in its mouth, on a silver silk ground. Other panels which form an overall quatrefoil shape, have floral motifs, with large flowers, leaves and stems, with the top lobe panel having a large butterfly all in various colours. Each section bound with satin. Backed with green silk.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 36cm
Style
Credit line
Purchased with Art Fund support
Object history
Registered File number 1947/374. From the collection of Bernard Vuilleumier.
Summary
This is a decorative roundel made of embroidery on panels of woven silk. It may have been made to be used as a decorative cover for the surface of a side table.

The symbols on the roundel indicate that this would have been used on in interiors for an older person, perhaps even in celebration of a birthday. The central figure is that of the God of Longevity, accompanied by a deer (which is also a longevity symbol). Other symbols contributing to the theme of longevity are the peach, and the butterfly which is the symbol of a person who has attained seventy to eighty years of age.

The previous owner of this piece, Bernard Vuilleumier, collected Chinese textiles such as this one out of an interest in Chinese symbols.
Collection
Accession number
T.246-1948

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 3, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest