A Chinese midnight-blue-ground gilt 'scrolling lotus' brocade panel

The long narrow panel is woven in gilt thread with a repeating pattern of densely scrolling lotus flowers on a deep blue ground. Mounted on blue cotton on foam board.

Catalogue notes: Compare a similar piece dated to the Kangxi period in the Collection of the Palace Museum of the Forbidden City, vol. 50, no. 123. The peonies and leaves are not patterned by the weft but left open by it, which creates a wonderful illusion of depth. This uncommon technique, the deep blue color and the baroque shape of leaves and flowers render it most likely Kangxi period (1661-1722) in date.