19th century AD. A rectangular silk panel made using the kesi technique, depicting a building and figures beside water using sticks to launch floats, with vegetation, distant mountains and a temple; applied hem to three edges and fabric border above. 82 grams, 103 x 53cm (40 1/2 x 20 3/4"). Ex Swiss collection; by inheritance,1980s. The kesi or 'cut silk' technique is an ancient and unique silk-weaving tradition from Suzhou, China, dating back at least to the Han Period (206BC-220AD). The vertical strands of the boiled-silk weft run through the whole of the textile but the raw silk warp is interrupted periodically to produce discrete coloured panels with the appearance of a cut-out outline. Each colour of the warp is attached to a separate shuttle, so that the weaving takes place in individual patches or panels. The panels of different colours are not interlocked or attached in the horizontal weft. The technique produces identical (but reversed) images to both faces of the fabric, making it more versatile than standard single-sided embroidery. [No Reserve]

Fine condition; some usage wear.