北宋 嬰戯紋綾|Textile fragment with boys in floral scrolls

Unknown

11th–12th century · Silk twill damask (ling) · Asian Art

This textile was meticulously woven with boys tucked among floral scrolls and lotus pods—a rebus for, or visual allusion to, progeny. In addition to the Buddhist belief in rebirth from the lotus, multiseeded lotus pods were also thought to be a symbol for plentiful offspring.

Artist

Unknown

Date

11th–12th century

Medium

Silk twill damask (ling)

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1952