Symmetrical Floral and Butterfly Silk Embroidery
Textile, Chinese Silk Embroidery panel on silk support • Chinese School, likely a professional embroidery workshop specializing in export or decorative textiles
Style & Movement
Qing Dynasty decorative style with Chinoiserie influence in the framing and presentation
Medium & Technique
Silk and possibly metallic thread on silk ground; features satin stitch, long and short stitch, and couching techniques
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th century (Late Qing Dynasty to Republic Period)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 8 inches for the textile panel, presented in a vertical portrait orientation with a faux-bamboo wooden frame
Subject Description
A vertically oriented symmetrical composition featuring narcissus (daffodil) flowers at the base, chrysanthemums in the center, and bamboo at the top. Interspersed among the flora are four butterflies. The imagery symbolizes longevity, endurance, and marital bliss within Chinese iconography.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the embroidery retains its structural integrity, though there is visible fading and minor fraying consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $600 USD
Auction Estimate
$200 - $400 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; likely acquired as an export luxury item in the early 20th century. The faux-bamboo frame suggests a Western domestic setting during the Chinoiserie revival.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the high-quality textile production for the global market during the late Qing era. It showcases the transition of traditional botanical motifs into decorative household items for European and American collectors.
Notable Features
The perfectly mirrored vertical symmetry is a hallmark of decorative screens of this period; the black silk ground provides a high contrast for the pastel-colored threads.
Condition Issues
Visible fading of the silk ground and thread colors (likely due to light exposure), some minor loose threads (slugs), and light foxing/spotting on the surrounding silk mat.
Conservation Recommendations
Remount using acid-free materials; replace non-UV glass with UV-protective museum glass; display away from direct sunlight in a climate-controlled environment.