A PATCHWORK SILK BROCADE COVER

CENTRAL ASIA, 13TH CENTURY

Details

A PATCHWORK SILK BROCADE COVER
CENTRAL ASIA, 13TH CENTURY
Possibly for a mirror, of circular form, double-faced, padded, opening along one side, each face comprising panels of brocades on coloured silk grounds, the central panel with animals, the others with floral designs, in a lilac silk outer border with applied pipework scrolling design, with gold backing, plain lining
10in. (25.5cm.) diam.

Provenance

Asian private collection since 1980s.

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Lot Essay

In the Mongol period costumes begin to appear that have badges on the front made from patchwork panels. These are found both in paintings and on robes dating from the period (Feng Zhao, Treasures in Silk, Hong Kong, 1999, no.09.09, pp.290-291). It is suggested that at this period they were purely decorative without any further symbolism being involved. The example illustrated by Feng Zhao is interesting in comparison to this cover in that it has a wide variety of floral panels arranged around a central square panel depicting a deer. The choice of the animal panel to go in the centre is one that is found here and also on the pillow cases in the previous two lots, indicating that the animal textiles were held in higher esteem than those of other designs.

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