Of grand scale, the ground nearly covered with silk-work and couched metallic threads, depicting a central beardless warrior flanked by two smaller bearded warriors, the robes and ground elaborately patterned, including figural bands likely related to Chinese opera, blue-dyed cloth backing.

PROVENANCE:

Acquired in China by the father of the present owner, a member of the Italian foreign service, in China from 1929-1946
Thence by descent

NOTE:

For another large-scale embroidered wall hanging, depicting one large and two subsidiary theatrical figures in a dense composition, see the 19th century wall hanging in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York, no. 59.190. The costume of the figures in the present lot, particularly the distinctive headdress of the main figure, with a series of spherical elements, appear to relate to costumes from the Cantonese opera, and may suggest a southern Chinese origin for the present work.