The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Textile with the Character for Longevity (Shou)

Art Object

Cambodian Rattan: The Sculpture of Sopheap Pich

This slideshow details how the contemporary Cambodian artist Sopheap Pich creates organic open-weave sculptures that are inspired by human anatomy, plant life, and the history and culture of Cambodia.

Published in conjunction with the exhibition Cambodian Rattan: The Sculptures of Sopheap Pich, on view February 23 through June 16, 2013.

The exhibition and related programs are made possible by Cynthia Hazen Polsky and Leon B. Polsky.

The exhibition and programs are presented as part of the New York–wide Season of Cambodia.

Video/Audio (3)

Cambodian Rattan: The Sculpture of Sopheap Pich
(00:02:07) 2261 views

Sunday at the Met: Cambodian Rattan Discussion
(00:57:05) 64 views

Sunday at the Met: Cambodian Rattan Performance
(00:28:04) 60 views

Textile with the Character for Longevity (Shou)

Date:: 17th century
Culture:: China
Medium:: Brocaded silk satin
Dimensions:: Overall: 35 1/2 x 13 3/8 in. (90.2 x 34 cm)
Classification:: Textiles
Credit Line:: Anonymous Gift, 1946
Accession Number:: 46.133.11

This artwork is not on display

Description

The character for longevity (shou) is here flanked by beribboned swastikas (wan), each signifying ten thousand years. The shape of the textile suggests that it may have been part of a decorative canopy or valance.
See also
What
Silk (32,922)

Textiles (32,752)

Woven (11,528)

Satin (476)
Where
Asia (68,071)

China (17,417)
When
A.D. 1600-1800 (66,179)
In the Museum
Asian Art (35,222)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Longevity in Chinese Art

Central and North Asia, 1600–1800 A.D.

China, 1600–1800 A.D.