Framed Chinese Silk Embroidery Of Pheasants And Peonies Appraisal

Framed Chinese Silk Embroidery of Pheasants and Peonies

This is a rectangular, vertically oriented framed artwork featuring an intricate Chinese silk embroidery. The embroidery depicts two pheasants, one male and one female, perched on a blossoming branch with large pink peonies and smaller white cherry blossoms. The male pheasant, positioned higher, is vibrantly colored with iridescent blues, greens, reds, and oranges, showcasing a long, flowing tail with distinct 'eyes' typical of peacock or pheasant feathers. The female pheasant below is more subdued in coloring, primarily shades of brown and beige. The embroidery demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship, likely employing various stitching techniques to create texture and depth in the feathers, petals, and leaves. The background appears to be a light, possibly silk or linen fabric. In the upper left corner, there are Chinese characters, likely a poem or dedication, written in black ink, accompanied by a red seal signature, indicative of the artist or calligrapher. The artwork is housed within a dark, possibly black, wooden frame with a lighter, creamy inner matting or lining that highlights the embroidery. The work is protected by glass. Visible condition appears good, with no obvious signs of tearing, significant discoloration, or damage to the embroidery itself, though the frame shows some general wear consistent with age. This style of detailed bird and flower embroidery is characteristic of traditional Chinese silk art and suggests an approximate age from the mid to late 20th century, or possibly earlier given the intricate detail, possibly from the Suzhou embroidery school renowned for such artistry. The quality of the stitching and vibrant, realistic depiction of the birds and flowers points to a high level of skill.