Discover exquisite embroideries, dyed silk and velvet panels, tapestries, and appliqué works
The pairing of shishi and peonies is a traditional one in Japanese art. The shishi was a Buddhist symbol of power and protection, and considered the ‘king of the animals’; the peony, a symbol of wealth and good fortune, was considered the ‘queen of the flowers’, so the two motifs were fitting and auspicious companions. A variety of stitches and threads is used to create different textures for the animals and mountain scenery. (Exhibition number 5)
Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, 9 November 2012-27 January 2013, Threads of Silk and Gold: Ornamental Textiles from Meiji Japan, Clare Pollard, ed. (Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, 2012), no. 5 p. 94, illus. pp. 54, 86-87, & 94
Objects are sometimes moved to a different location. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis. Contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular object on display, or would like to arrange an appointment to see an object in our reserve collections.
Objects from past exhibitions may have now returned to our stores or a lender. Click into an individual object record to confirm whether or not an object is currently on display. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis, so please contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular Eastern Art object.
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