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Lot Essay
The upper section of this exquisitely woven table frontal is decorated with classic Chinese symbols of happiness and longevity. The longevity symbolism of the peach is derived from its association with the most important female deity in Chinese mythology, Xi Wangmu (Mother Goddess of the West), who grew peaches of immortality in her gardens in the Western Paradise. The number of peaches, nine, counting the central peach, is also significant, as it is the highest yang (male principle) number and shares the same pronunciation as the Chinese word for "eternity" (jiu). The central shou (longevity) medallion reinforces this theme. The bat is a symbol of happiness and good fortune, as the word for happiness (fu), is pronounced the same as the word for bat.
The undulating chi dragons flanking the central peach are a common motif on wares made for the Court, and strongly suggests an Imperial attribution.
The combination of white magnolia (yulan) crab apple (haitang) and peony (fuguihua) express the wish "May your noble house be blessed with wealth and honor" (yutang fugui). See T. T. Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 2006, p. 153, no. 6.28.3. The author goes on to state that "the combination of the first character of 'magnolia' (yulan) and the second character of 'crab apple' (haitong) form a rebus for 'jade hall' (yutang), an honorific term for a rich home." The peony, "the king of flowers," represents prosperity, and is associated with the upper classes of society.
Compare the similarly woven kesi panel decorated with peonies and pheasants dated to the Kangxi period illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 52 - Embroidered Pictures, Beijing, 2005, pp. 168-9, no. 90.
The undulating chi dragons flanking the central peach are a common motif on wares made for the Court, and strongly suggests an Imperial attribution.
The combination of white magnolia (yulan) crab apple (haitang) and peony (fuguihua) express the wish "May your noble house be blessed with wealth and honor" (yutang fugui). See T. T. Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 2006, p. 153, no. 6.28.3. The author goes on to state that "the combination of the first character of 'magnolia' (yulan) and the second character of 'crab apple' (haitong) form a rebus for 'jade hall' (yutang), an honorific term for a rich home." The peony, "the king of flowers," represents prosperity, and is associated with the upper classes of society.
Compare the similarly woven kesi panel decorated with peonies and pheasants dated to the Kangxi period illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 52 - Embroidered Pictures, Beijing, 2005, pp. 168-9, no. 90.