Not currently on display at the V&A

Table Frontal

1850-1900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
China (made)

This embroidery was suspended around a table, covering its legs. These frontals orginally decorated tables in temple spaces and home altars, but they became a common feature in the reception rooms of the wealthy.


Object details

Categories
Textiles
Embroidery
Object type
Table frontal
Materials and techniques
Satin-weave silk; embroidery in silk and gilt metallic threads
Silk (Textile)
Gold Thread
Silk Thread
Cotton Thread
Satin Weave
Embroidered
Knotted
Brief description
Table frontal, silk satin with embroidery in silk and gilt thread, China, Qing dynasty, 1850-1900
Physical description
Table frontal of white satin-weave silk, embroidered with coloured silks and gilt thread in satin stitch and couched work, with designs of peonies and leaves in shades of blue and green, surrounding the symbols for longevity (shou), cranes and a flower basket in gold. Horizontally across centre, down each side and at bottom is a border filled with gourds and tendrils with small flowers, in gold and colours on black satin. Two strips of black satin with the same design hung from the centre strip. There is a wide fringe of knotted white cotton, and the upper edge is finished with a binding of blue cotton.
Dimensions
  • Maximum height including flaps height: 1055mm (Note: measured in textile conservation)
  • Maximum width width: 1820mm (Note: Measured in textile conservation)
  • Height without flaps height: 980mm
Style
Qing
Credit line
Bequeathed by Mr T.B. Clarke-Thornhill
Object history
Registered File number 1934/3321.
Subjects depicted
Peonies
Phoenix Birds
Flowers
Scrolls
Summary
This embroidery was suspended around a table, covering its legs. These frontals orginally decorated tables in temple spaces and home altars, but they became a common feature in the reception rooms of the wealthy.
Collection
East Asia Collection
Accession number
T.204-1934

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O457675/table-frontal-unknown/
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