Chinese Tapestry Depicting Courtiers and Musicians

Courtiers in no particular hurry, framed in a thicket of flowers.

Chinese weavers made this wool tapestry in the 20th century, in a European courtly style. Woven wall hangings of this kind were commonly made for halls and drawing rooms, to soften stone walls and tell a story. A woman in a long pale gown and a man in red with a feathered cap walk across a tiled floor, while more figures gather in an arcade behind them. A wide border of flowers, fruit and leaves surrounds the scene. The colors are soft rose, ochre, cream and blue.

About 72 inches tall and 47 wide. A whole room’s drama on one wall.