Mounted Chinese Brocade 18th C

Brocade fragment that was part of a hanging. The linear design features rows of phoenixes in alternating blue, white and brown. They are surrounded by rows of cloudbands colored likewise.

In Chinese culture  symbolism is used to convey social, political and religious status and all depicted has meaning. The phoenix used to be a symbol of high virtue and grace until the Song Dynasty in the 13-14th c. Later it became a symbol of femininity.