Embroidered Panels with Design of the Chinese Characters for “Longevity” and “Good Fortune” by Anonymous

Embroidered Panels with Design of the Chinese Characters for “Longevity” and “Good Fortune” 18th-19th century

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panel, textile

panel

asian-art

textile

calligraphy

Dimensions: 34 3/16 × 12 11/16 in. (86.84 × 32.23 cm) (image)46 9/16 × 14 3/8 in. (118.27 × 36.51 cm) (mount)50 1/4 × 33 5/8 × 1 in. (127.64 × 85.41 × 2.54 cm) (outer frame)

These embroidered panels reside at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, showcasing the Chinese characters for "Longevity" and "Good Fortune," crafted by an anonymous artist. The golden characters shimmer against a teal backdrop, each panel mirroring the other in a symmetrical composition, encased in a gold frame. The artist's methodical arrangement of symbols invites contemplation on their deeper cultural significance. The characters are not merely calligraphic forms but carriers of meaning, embodying aspirations for a prosperous and enduring life. The very act of embroidery, with its meticulous and repetitive gestures, mirrors the patience and diligence required to achieve longevity and good fortune. The panels serve as a testament to the seamless fusion of aesthetics and philosophy, reminding us that art's true value lies in its capacity to both reflect and shape our cultural values.

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minneapolisinstituteofart over 1 year ago

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Each of these six panels features twenty-four Chinese characters, alternating between the characters for “longevity” (壽) and “good fortune” (福). The characters, embroidered in gold thread on a light-blue ground, represent a wide variety of scripts. Some are traditional, while others are less orthodox, including characters whose brushstrokes are formed by stylized bamboo, fish, or birds. These panels—probably from a set of eight or ten panels mounted individually or as a folding screen—would have been used as an auspicious backdrop for a sixtieth birthday celebration. The sixtieth year (called hwangap in Korean), marking one’s survival through a full sexagenary cycle (the twelve-pronged, sixty-year zodiac calendar), receives special commemoration in many cultures within the Chinese cultural sphere, even today.