Pagoda & Phoenix Embroidery Fragment

This antique embroidery fragment offers a Western interpretation of Chinese art styles and traditions. Densely stitched atop off-white silk, the embroidered scene depicts a tiered pagoda within a natural landscape, surrounded by palm trees and tall grasses. A man in the foreground holds a leash tied to a mythical phoenix, a symbol of royalty, prosperity and benevolence. The figure’s face and hands are made from printed paper cutouts, an unusual method that allowed the artist to provide more detailed features. Enclosed in a gilt plaster frame, the vintage embroidery is a curious example of Chinoiserie-style textile work and reveals the popularity of Chinese art in the Western world in the early 20th century.

From the collection of Frances and Gary Comer.

Minor losses to embroidery.