An exceptional antique Imperial Chinese silk embroidery from Qing / Ching / Tsing dynasty dating to the 19th century. This magnificent hanging is made of a combination of metal and silk embroidery on beige silk with floral designs interspersed with butterflies, bats, vases and bowls. The soft elegant colours and intricacy of the design is just magnificent. But the most impressive element of this embroidery is the use of the fine Pekinese stitch which is also known as the forbidden stitch. The folklore around the forbidden stitch is beautiful. Some say it got its name from the fact that it was so fine of a stitch that those who embroidered it, ended up going blind so most were forbidden. When one sees the finese of the stitch you can understand this. But a more likely explanation is to do with the fact that this type of stitch was restricted to the court and only allowed to be stitched within and for the forbidden city. It is a magnificent work of textile art. The silk navy borders contrasts beautifully and the linen backing is original. Offered at fair price. size 50cm x 26cm (20" x 10")