18th Century One Hundred Butterflies Kesi Tapestry Exceptional in both quality and condition, with superb provenance to cap it off. This museum quality Chinese Kesi tapestry was likely created in Wenzhou, Zhenjiang province and is circa mid to late 18th century. The intricate and beautifully woven design features a host of charming and lavishly drawn butterflies among flowers on a pinky peach ground. The kesi panel is framed by ornate silk brocade in shades of pink and dark blue, which perfectly compliment the palette of the tapestry. The reverse features a fine damask silk panel in a monochrome golden/brown, woven with a dense cloud scroll motif, which probably dates to the mid-Ming dynasty, circa 15th/16th century. 154cm x 53cm (60.6 x 20.8 inches) Condition: Excellent overall condition. The kesi panel exhibits very little soiling, minimal creasing, and only a few loose threads. It must be regarded as exceedingly rare in such a pristine state of preservation. The reverse panel shows some old wear, some losses, soiling, and discolouration, yet remains in exceptional condition considering its probable age of over 500 years. (Important Note: you will see from the images a couple of slits where for example the edge of a wing meets the peach ground. These slits are a characteristic feature of the Kesi technique, arising from the way different colours are woven. In kesi, each colour area is created with a separate bobbin, and when one colour ends and another begins, a small slit is left between them. These slits, though a source of fragility, are a defining element of the kesi style.) Please see full listing on the site for extra images and video https://www.rochecoward.com/product-page/18th-century-one-hundred-butter... Provenance: From the private collection of Suzanne Braley, thence by descent. Suzanne Henriette Marguerite Braley (1893-1970) was a banker based in Monte Carlo, Monaco. She lived in Shanghai between around 1910 and 1920, where she collected Chinese antiques.