#1328 $950
Hand-embroidered Chinese shawl, c. 1900
The ivory silk crepe ground is expertly hand-embroidered with a floral pattern of satin stitch in shades of red, fuchsia, dark blue, lavender, peach, turquoise, and gray. The intense red and blue flowers are nicely set off against a pleasing peach flower.
The graceful delicacy of the small flowers contrasts with the bold brilliance of the large flowers, whose dazzling verisimilitude nature herself would envy. When the magnificent design is viewed up close, you can see why fine Chinese hand embroidery is so coveted by collectors.
The dramatic shawl is of a wearable weight. Wear it as an eye-catching accessory or use it in your home's decor. The shawl is edged all around with a 23"-border of hand-knotted silk fringe.
Fine hand embroidery reached the level of art form in China before Marco Polo arrived in the 13th century. Chinese export goods were still popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As interest faded after the 1920s, the quality of hand work waned. Modern copies produced in China today are generally of inferior quality.
The condition is excellent. It is clean and ready to use.
It measures 109" square, including the fringe.
