Untitled

Unknown

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

The silver pheasant corresponds to the fifth civil rank. Conventionally in rank badges, the silver pheasant is represented in white with five serrated tail feathers. Occasionally the usual five are augmented with some thin parallel plumes, here shown in red, shading to pink and white. The gold of the waves is rendered in couching, the most common technique for embroidering with gold thread. In couching, the gold thread is laid on the surface and affixed to the foundation fabric with occasional stitches that do not obscure the gold.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th–early 19th century

Medium

Silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk satin

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Bequest of William Christian Paul, 1929