Emroidered Door Hanging, 20th Century
Han people; China
Silk, linen, metal thread and plastic…

Door Curtain

ClassificationsTextiles-hangings-curtains

Culture Han

Date20th Century

Made AtChina, Asia

MediumSilk, linen, metal thread and plastic

Dimensions19 1/4 × 135 × 1 in. (48.9 × 342.9 × 2.5 cm)

Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Object number2013.5.27

DescriptionFestive embroidered door hangings such as this were hung outside of houses in China on the occasion of a new house being completed, festival celebrations, weddings or religious ceremonies. Typically, the designs on these hangings were related to the Taoist Eight Immortals, revered beings that attained immortality. The ninth individual in the center of this hanging most likely represents the God of Longevity or another Taoist god. The Eight Immortals are usually mounted on animals, as seen here, and they each are representative of a different condition in life. There is evidence of such hangings being used in the Qing dynasty, but it is possible that they were used in earlier times as well.

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