Silk Embroidery - 'Butterfly in Orange Flowers' Rustic The paintings

The paintings

revealing the beautiful natural colour of the wood

use a pair as curtain ties or display on a wall as an unusual ornament

The Chinese used decorative screens - either lacquered and painted or carved - from early on as a means of providing privacy

and a pheasant on the right hand door - a symbol of beauty and prosperity often substituted for a phoenix

Silk Embroidery - 'Butterfly in Orange Flowers' Rustic The paintingsThis hand stitched silk embroidery shows bold designs of flowers, with a pair of fluttering butterflies shown amongst bright peonies symbols for high status and nobility in China. It is typical of the delicate needlework used to decorate traditional Chinese costumes. With a black mount and frame it would make a colourful, eye catching wall feature today.