Art and Textiles
Influencing Each Other

SURFACE DECORATIONS on Chinese textiles often have a painterly quality that uses shadow and colour gradient to portray depth. This pair of Embroidered Blue Silk Sleeve Bands reflects traditional monochromatic ink painting, in which washes of black ink are diluted to create depth and tone. The peony and butterfly patterns are embroidered in white and tones of grey silk floss, making the embroidery reflect a brushstroke painting effect. This tone-on-tone colour design, also named three-blue embroidery, was popular during the Qing dynasty. Artisans of the Suzhou embroidery style created three-blue embroidery inspired by blue-and-white porcelain designs. They used tone-on-tone colours (not limited to blue) in satin stitches to create delicate embroidery artwork.

A blue rectangular sleeve band embroidered with blue peonies, leaves, and butterflies.
Detail of Two Embroidered Blue Silk Sleeve Bands, date unknown; multicolored silk floss embroidered on silk satin; University of Alberta Museums; Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart; 2005.5.384
Gray ink painting of a peony with leaves. Red square seals and Chinese calligraphy at top left corner corner.
Album leaf from Album of Flowers and Birds, 1781; Luo Ping (1733-1799); ink on paper; University of Alberta Museums, Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart; 2004.19.73.1.1



A common motif seen in textiles and artworks pairs butterflies with flowers, including peonies, which results in the combined symbolism of wealth, honour, good fortune, and longevity. In this album leaf, from Insects album, we can see the butterfly and flower motif used in a scientific botanical painting. While this album leaf was created to introduce foreign flora and insects to Western audiences, the Chinese artisans have still highlighted traditional symbolism. Again, on this Green Silk Yardage for a Woman’s Robe, we see this butterfly and flower motif depicted in embroidery. Peonies are accompanied by chrysanthemums, plum flowers, and various types of butterflies, which imbues the garment with auspicious meaning for the wearer.

Watercolour painting of red peony blossom on a branch with green leaves and a dark brown and blue butterfly flying above.
Album leaf from Insects, ca. 1810; artist unknown; ink on paper; University of Alberta Museums; Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart; 2004.19.3.7
Green fabric embroidered with pink and purple peonies, purple chrysanthemums with blue leaves, small pink and white flowers, and multicoloured butterflies.
Detail from Embroidered Green Silk Yardage for a Woman's Robe, date unknown; multicoloured silk floss embroidered on silk twill; University of Alberta Museums; Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart, 2005.5.111

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Art and Textiles Influencing Each Other