Fan Surface with a Dragon, Clouds, and Waves

China

Ming dynasty (1368–1644)

Not on view

During the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368), on the occasion of the Duanwu Festival (the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, now celebrated as the Dragon Boat Festival), the ministry of rites would present to the imperial court fans made of silk tapestry (kesi) with various pictorial subjects, including dragons in clouds. This fan surface, with a dragon breathing out a flaming pearl above waves, is a vestige of that tradition. The woven inscription indicates that it was a gift to a brother-in-law.

Fan Surface with a Dragon, Clouds, and Waves, Tapestry-woven (kesi) silk, China

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Fan Surface with a Dragon, Clouds, and Waves, Tapestry-woven (kesi) silk, China
Fan Surface with a Dragon, Clouds, and Waves, Tapestry-woven (kesi) silk, China
Fan Surface with a Dragon, Clouds, and Waves, Tapestry-woven (kesi) silk, China
Fan Surface with a Dragon, Clouds, and Waves, Tapestry-woven (kesi) silk, China
Fan Surface with a Dragon, Clouds, and Waves, Tapestry-woven (kesi) silk, China

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.