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Textile with confronted birds

early 8th century
Not on view
Although symmetry is a basic element of Chinese design, the motif of a pair of confronted animals or birds on either side of a plant was not known in China until the opening of the silk routes in the second century B.C. The pattern seen on this embroidery—birds standing on lotus blossoms (a motif derived from Buddhist art)—was popular in the early Tang period.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 唐 刺繡對鳥紋綢
  • Title: Textile with confronted birds
  • Period: Tang dynasty (618–907)
  • Date: early 8th century
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Silk embroidery on plain weave silk
  • Dimensions: Overall: 12 1/4 x 12 1/8 in. (31.1 x 30.8 cm)

  • Classification: Textiles-Embroidered
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1996
  • Object Number: 1996.103.2
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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