Complete Kesi Scroll Bearing the Calligraphic Rendering of the Duanshi Version of Ode to the Orchid Pavilion Woven at the Behest of Emperor Qianlong

Title and Specifications: Complete Kesi Scroll Bearing the Calligraphic Rendering of the Duanshi Version of "Ode to the Orchid Pavilion" woven at the Behest of Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736-95).

This 1,714.5 cm-long, 31.6 cm-wide silk scroll bears a calligraphic rendering of the poem Lanting Xu (Ode to the Orchid Pavilion) by fourth century calligrapher and poet Wang Xizhi (321-379), and the painting of the pavilion on which the kesi technique of silk weaving was based. Totaling 32 sections, it is the longest and best-preserved piece of ancient kesi artwork extant.

Market Value: At an auction arranged by the China Guardian Auction Co., Ltd. in Beijing in May 2004, the scroll sold for 35.75 million yuan (US $4.31 million), setting a new world benchmark for prices of Chinese kesi artworks. It was also one of the highest amounts ever paid for a work of art listed in the royal collection index Shiqu Baoji.

Technological Features: Kesi (carved silk) is a traditional Chinese handicraft whose raw material is natural silk. Warps in the original color are first arranged on a loom, and a painting placed beneath them. The painting is then traced on to the warps using small shuttles that weave the wefts in various colors, making a uniform design on both sides. Kesi came into being no later than the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and its techniques matured during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). It reached its zenith in the Qing Dynasty, being a particular favorite of Emperor Qianlong. During the Ming and Qing dynasties Suzhou and Hangzhou were the kesi producing centers, and this traditional handicraft is still preserved there. During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) kesi artworks were generally smaller and the technology used was simpler. Those of the Ming Dynasty were decorative and in bold colors, while Qing Dynasty kesi were elegant and in meticulous detail.

Artistic Value: The scroll consists of three parts. The first part, 621.6 cm long and in 12 sections comprises calligraphic renderings of Qianlong's imperial edict, poem and Dingwu version of "Ode to the Lanting Pavilion." The second part, 366.7 cm long, is a rendering of Li Gonglin's painting "Floating Cups" in which 60 different figures are depicted. Joins between sections are imperceptible, even through a magnifying glass. The third part is 726.2 cm long and in 13 sections. It depicts a text comprising prefaces and postscripts, including renderings of inscriptions by Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty and postscripts by Zhao Mengfu. There are in addition renderings of 46 seals from different periods, plus five collection designated seals, including the "Seal of Qianlong's Imperial Reading" and the "Seal of Jiaqing's Imperial Reading."