Silk Brocade Chair Panel with Pagoda & Crane

This framed silk brocade tapestry is one half of a magnificent Qing-dynasty chair panel, or chair strip. Because traditional Chinese seating was not upholstered, fine textiles were draped across the backs and seats of grand armchairs for added comfort and luxury.

The panel is beautifully woven of blue, white, and gold silk threads with an intricate all-over pattern of hexagonal lattice dotted with flower blossoms, dragons, and phoenixes. At the bottom of the textile is a medallion framing a pagoda temple, surrounded by clouds, bats, and a crane - motifs of happiness and longevity. A shou character of longevity tops the panel, framed by peony blossoms. A blue border encloses the woven silk panel, further patterned with auspicious symbols like double gourds, butterflies, and buddha's hand citron.