Embroidered Panels with Design of the Chinese Characters for “Longevity” and “Good Fortune” 18th-19th century
anonymous
minneapolisinstituteofart
panel, textile
natural stone pattern
wood texture
toned paper
panel
water colours
pottery
textile
tile art
stoneware
wooden interior design
wooden texture
watercolor
These two embroidered panels, dating back to the 18th-19th century, are a testament to the intricate artistry of Chinese textile traditions. The panels are covered in a delicate blue fabric upon which are embroidered Chinese characters symbolizing “Longevity” and “Good Fortune,” reflecting the desire for a long and prosperous life. The use of various colors and meticulous stitches creates a visually rich and textured surface, offering a glimpse into the cultural values and aesthetic preferences of the time. The panels, currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, are a compelling example of how the art of embroidery served not just as decoration but also as a means of conveying auspicious wishes and cultural significance.
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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.
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