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Hi all,

I've found a large and beautiful embroidered tapestry that I believe is of Chinese origin. It measures 37" tall and 17" wide. I've also run across smaller kesi siIk tapestries and was not sure if this was also kesi. As you'll see, the tiger is very prominent in the picture and there is writing down the left side -- no other marks that I can tell. It has a gold frame around it. I am very interested in learning more about this piece -- style, age, origin etc -- if at all possible. Kind regards,

Clark

That is a very skilled rendition of the tiger in what I assume to be silk. However, about the only thing that I can make out amongst the characters at this small resolution is that the line at the left of the main inscription gives a Western date of 1953 in what appears to be the month of April (si yue).

The embroidery is in the Chinese style although the tiger also is a favorite subject of Korean art. Considering how 1953 was a Korean War year, when the Nationalist Chinese were among the anticommunist forces, you might want to wait and see if a connection with Korea is forthcoming from the inscription as read by others.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Bill -- this is quite useful information and I truly appreciate it. Knowing the date is especially helpful. I knew the piece wasn't "antique" but I assumed it was pre-1970s based on the framing and condition. I didn't realize it might have Korean ties but that simply adds to the intrigue.

I apologize the photos had such small resolution; I had to greatly reduce the photo size to make it fit the 100kb rule. Either way, thank you for your help and for the info! Kind regards,

Clark

Embroidery is by needle in small stitches go different directions.

Tapestry is woven on loom.

You can tell easiest by looking on back of fabric for if threads go long distance in perfectly straight lines perpendicular to the lengthwise silk foundation yarns (this then is woven). Different colors go up/down through fabric to make design but always parallel to each other, all same direction.

Some very attractive woven items being made by automated patterning devices, sell to tourist lot of money.

Style of your picture is quite modern and Western, guess no more than few decades old, whether woven or embroidered.

Good luck,
Cal

Cal,

Thanks for the clarification between the two. Unfortunately the piece is framed and has a paper backing that I'd have to rip through to see back of the fabric. Upon close examination of the front, I believe it is embroidered.

I assumed it might be automated since it showed few imperfections and was so well proportioned, even upon close inspection. Thanks for the helpful info! Kind regards,

Clark

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