Antique 19th Century Chinese Embroidered Daoist Immortals "Birthday" Panel

Description

A beautiful and significant Chinese Silk tapestry, from the late Qing dynasty, 19th century. The overall design includes many auspicious decorations with a primary theme of longevity.  Many Immortals and other Daoist deity's are depicted along side with flowers, trees, peaches and other symbols.

The piece is done in an array of colors as well as a good amount of gold threads used to highlight.  It is large size and was likely a commissioned piece. The silk has been mounted to a board and framed. It appears to be an embroidery rather than a kesi, as the figures and decoration is sticked into the tapestry rather than applied to it.

Depiction

Upon a cracked ice balcony you will find an assortment of gods gathered. Of the 8 Immortals, you will find Han Xiang with flute in hand as well as Lan Caihe holding the bamboo flower basket.  Above them is Elder Zhang Gou in blue dress and holding a Yu Ku, or fish drum and Zhongli Quan holding a fan. While most of the gods upon the platform are looking out into the scene, Lu Dongbin can be seen facing the other Immortals with his sword on his back. The gods of Fu Lu Shou can also be seen on the platform.

A Peach tree extends from the balcony in to the sky where you will find bats flying as well Immortal Woman He riding upon a Fenghuang, with an attendant by her side. Fenghuang is the traditional name for what is commonly called a Phoenix.  This mythical beast is said to have the face of a bird, beak of a rooster, and neck of a snake. The body a combination of Goose, Turtle, and Stag. While mythology observes both Feng for male, and Huang for female, they are more recently depicted in the female form, and are often associated with the Empress.

Shou Xing watches from a near by cloud with a peach branch over his shoulder. A crane fly's overhead with mountains in the background.

Back on the ground a classic wave crest design is seen crashing into the cracked ice balcony, a Wutong tree to the side with two figures interacting beneath it. Also on the ground you will see Iron-Crutch Li walking with crutch in hand and another god riding a Qilin below.

Condition

It is mounted to a board backing and cannot easily be removed, though the frame itself could be easily replaced. There is some distortion of the image in places where the silk was stretched when mounted and a couple small holes may be present. The silk is brittle around the edges.

Size

72" (182cm) tall.