CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, XIXEME SIECLE

The design on this kesi, or silk tapestry-woven fabric, has been created with metallic threads. Producing these threads was a time-consuming task. Gold and silver leaf was applied to paper, which was cut into narrow strips and wrapped around a silk thread. The more coppery tones were produced by using red paper and a red silk core thread, while using yellow or cream-coloured paper and a yellow or white silk core threads produced more golden tones. These metallic threads were far less flexible than silk threads and required extraordinary technical and artistic skills to manipulate them. These sumptuous effects were particularly valued by the members of the Manchu aristocracy.