Embroidered Phoenix in Floral Medallion
Tang dynasty, 7-8th centuries
L49cm, W20cm
Split-stitch, the most popular embroidery technique during the high-Tang period was adopted on this piece. From the damaged textile we can identify two standing phoenixes with drooping interlocking twigs between them, suggesting that the complete pattern was a pair of phoenixes holding interlocking twigs. The shape of the phoenix is quite similar to the bronze phoenix decoration excavated in Dulan.