2-737-690 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Phoenix and Tree Peony, 14th century. Phoenix and Tree Peony Needleloop embroidery; silk and silver thread, silvered paper China, 1300s, Yuan to early Ming Dynasty (1279-1424) The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of David Tremayne 1992.95 (Cat. no. 56) This needleloop embroidery is distinguished by its exceptionally fine execution. Few other examples incorporate the variety of intricate diaper patterns seen here. Like most needleloop embroideries, the phoenix is fragmentary. Rows of loops worked over pieces of gilded or silvered paper make needleloop embroidery quite heavy. On the other hand, the ground fabrics upon which they were executed were usually light-weight silks. Unable to support the embroidery, they simply wore out over time.