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Bowl in Black Glaze with 'Hare's Fur' Striations
Floral-shaped Censer with Handle
Inkstone Shaped as the Character Feng (Wind)Mirror with Children Playing (the story of Yen-shan wu-kuei)
Scholar
Egrets Frolicking in a Pond
Poem on Bitter Bamboo Shoots


  
Egrets Frolicking in a Pond
Egrets Frolicking in a Pond
Anonymous, Sung Dynasty (960-1279)
Hanging scroll, silk tapestry, 123.5 x 48.9 cm


    Colored threads are sewn with a plain background to form this tapestry. To one side of a lotus pond stands a decorative T'ai-hu rock. Hibiscus and day lily are blooming as three egrets are shown; one on the bank, one in the water, and the other in flight. The clouds and water form a natural complement to the flowers and birds, creating a calm and naturalistic scene composed mostly of blue and white.

    The most distinctive feature of Sung tapestries is their level of realism combined with their classical coloring and straightforward style in a natural composition. This work is no exception. The finesse and quality of the workmanship here, even down to the tiniest details, reveals the pursuit of spirit and technical perfection in Sung tapestries.