In Knots

[Detail views via Meg Andrews]

It looks like time has been very kind to this old embroidered blue satin Chinese sleeve band spied over at textile dealer Meg Andrews' site.

You can see the entire 3" x 18" section of 19th-century stitchwork here. (The whole rectangular piece is approximately 7" x 3.5'.) But I wanted to focus on the Peking knots. These fill the vases. The V & A has more examples of antique sleeve bands with the same style of knot along with this purse.

[Late-19th-century/early-20th Chinese embroidered cotton and satin with silk and silver thread (lined with pink cotton). Given to the V & A by Mr H. Helmer.]

Related reading:

Threads of Gold: Chinese Textiles: Ming to Ch'ing

V & A Pattern: Chinese Textiles

Chinese Textiles

Imperial Chinese Robes