Untitled

Unknown

18th–19th century · Silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk gauze · Asian Art

Bamboo, a favorite subject in Chinese art, is seen here on a typically Chinese background. The fretwork incorporates the broken cross, or swastika—an ancient symbol in Asia that is associated in China with the character wan, which denotes the number ten thousand and symbolizes longevity. The incorporation of the symbol into an unending pattern emphasizes its meaning. Small overall geometric patterns were commonly mentioned in texts of the Song dynasty (960–1279), and "endless wan," the pattern of connected swastikas, attained dominance by the end of the Ming (1368–1644).

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th–19th century

Medium

Silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk gauze

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Bequest of William Christian Paul, 1929