Anonymous
Ch'ing Dynasty
Framed, 18"x24"
(Original is Hanging Scroll, silk embroidery on satin foundation, 151.1cmx68cm)

    The Ts'un-su-t'ang ssu-hsiu lu by Chu Ch'i-ch'ien contains the following note about the piece: "This piece renders in embroidery the images of the dieties of Happiness, Prosperity and Longevity. One child, wearing a golden cap, holds a halberd and a seal. A second child holds a "Ju-i" sceptre, while yet another holds a branch of precious coral. The figures are all exquisite. The embroidery  itself is skillful and even. This piece copies an unsigned, uninscribed, work of the Ming period"

  The motifs are rendered in satin-stitch embrodery using coarse and rather loose, fluffy silk floss. Only the eyebrows and eyes of the figures have been added with brush and color after the completion of the embroidery.

  Collectors' seals: One seal of Chu Ch'i-ch'ien. The seal, which appears in the upper left corner, was first impressed on paper, then pasted to the blue satin ground.