明萬曆 五毒紋紗羅|Panel with the five poisonous creatures

Unknown

Date unknown · Silk in patterned simple gauze · Asian Art

Woven using one of the oldest and most developed techniques of Chinese textiles, this gauze features subtle patterns in a monochrome palette. The design presents five poisonous creatures: the centipede, lizard, scorpion, snake, and toad. Their protective qualities are called upon during the Duanwu Festival, or the Dragon Boat Festival, which occurs on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. People wear clothes and use objects depicting these creatures during the festival to ward off harm.

Artist

Unknown

Date

Date unknown

Medium

Silk in patterned simple gauze

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, The B.D.G. Leviton Foundation Gift, 1987