Chinese Silk Textile, seventeenth century - An exquisitely drawn classical Chinese design of staggered lotus palmettes and vinesprays stylized in the form of cloudbands unfolds in graceful rhythms across the rich golden field of this sumptuous antique silk textile. The soft aubergine, pale blue, green, and terracotta tones of the floral elements are all the more lovely against the golden background. The weave is remarkably fine with sparing use of gold metallic thread.