Scroll Cover for Imperial Calligraphy
This wonderful textile illustrates the continuation of the use of luxurious tapestries as covers for paintings and calligraphies. The inscription states that it was produced to accompany the Qianlong Emperor’s calligraphy of his own essay discussing the difficulty and ease of founding and maintaining an empire. As a tailor-made cover for an imperial work, the tapestry is superb: the body of the dragon is executed in gold thread, and the flowers and leaves are rendered in subtle hues and shades.
Artwork Details
- 清乾隆 緙絲《御筆創業守成難易說》包首
- Title: Scroll Cover for Imperial Calligraphy
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95)
- Culture: China
- Medium: Silk and metal thread tapestry (kesi)
- Dimensions: Overall: 15 x 13 1/2 in. (38.1 x 34.3 cm)
- Classification: Textiles-Tapestries
- Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1941
- Object Number: 41.123.2
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Central Tibet
ca. 1700
Tibet or Mongolia
17th century
Wang Hui
datable to 1698
China
first half 18th century
China
late 17th century
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.