PANEL, METALWORK, GOLD AND SILVER

An attractive metalwork (gold and silver thread) rectangular panel with 3 different flowers and leaves in finely couched metal thread.

The embroidery on a dark blue silk fabric is surrounded by 4 bands of fabric – a narrow woven cream floral braid,

Very narrow red silk edging, and a wider band of woven gold damask edged with black silk. The damask band has a Chinese letter, Shuangxi meaning double happiness, happiness and longevity; and symbolic Chinese flowers, chrysanthemum the flower of Autumn and lotus, the flower of Summer, symbol of purity and nobility.

The back is lined with pale olive green silk fabric.

Goldwork was associated with immortality because of its durability and constancy under changing conditions.