Harmonious Design
Motifs on Textiles

IN CHINESE CULTURE, a value system promotes harmony and balance within all public and private spaces. Hierarchies of power, especially for social ranks, are part of this natural order and are expressed through specific symbols on different types of material culture. In the Qing dynasty, textiles were especially imbued with symbols, some of which communicated the rank of the wearer or owner. Phoenixes indicated a high-ranking member of the imperial court and were often paired with peonies, which represented good fortune, honour, richness, and springtime. In Silk Tapestry Weave Hanging, two phoenixes float amongst peony blossoms and above blue scholar’s rocks. One phoenix, a male feng, floats above a female huang while they gaze affectionately at one another. Similar compositions also paired peonies with other birds, such as is seen in this Silk Tapestry Weave Table Frontal. Pink and purple peonies surround two pheasants perched on a scholar’s rock.

A tapestry showing two phoenixes, surrounded by white and pink peonies and blue rock formations against a gold background.

Detail from Silk Tapestry Weave Hanging, date unknown; gold wrapped silk thread tapestry with silk brocade in a lacquer frame; University of Alberta Museums; Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart; 2005.5.413

Tapestry of two pink and blue birds perched on rocks with pink and gray peonies against a gold background

Detail from Silk Tapestry Weave Table Frontal, date unknown; gold wrapped silk thread tapestry mounted on wood frame; University of Alberta Museums; Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart; 2005.5.519

The roundels from Blue Silk Tapestry Weave Surcoat for a Woman demonstrate another type of harmonious composition, which reflects the desired perfection of a classical Chinese garden. A large peony is surrounded by swirling flowers, pheasants, and butterflies which mirror the beauty and balance of the natural world.

Tapestry roundel filled with multicoloured birds, white flowers, pink and blue peonies, and green leaves.

Roundel from Blue Silk Tapestry Weave Surcoat for a Woman, date unknown; dark blue silk and metal-wrapped thread tapestry weave; University of Alberta Museums; Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart; 2005.5.304

Another panel, cropped from Silk Tapestry Weave Sleeve Band, illustrates children playing in a garden filled with peonies, peaches, and chrysanthemums. This composition also has fences and a river winding through, which reflect the defined space of the traditional garden. Artisans depicted Chinese garden scenes using their most recognizable components; flowers, butterflies, birds, trees, scholar rocks, and water. This motif has many symbolic meanings: the peony represents honour and wealth, the peach and chrysanthemum signify longevity, and the children represent generational endurance.

Yellow rectangular sleeve band with two children in a landscape with a fence, trees, and large pink peonies.

Detail from Silk Tapestry Weave Sleeve Band, date unknown; multicoloured silk tapestry with ink details framed with silk brocade; University of Alberta Museums; Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart; 2005.5.506.1

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Peonies Blossom in the Imperial Garden

II
Harmonious Design Motifs on Textiles

III
Art and Textiles Influencing Each Other

IV
Peony Motifs
for Daily Life

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