L40cm; W30cm

    Featuring one of China's cultural treasures, this embroidery depicts an imperial lantern from the Changxin Palace,seen here held by a courtesan in a well-designed composition. Discovered from the Western Han dynasty tomb of Duchess Dou Wan, wife of Duke Liu Sheng of Zhongshan, the lantern is exquisitely worked in free satin stitch to such minute details as to show the patina of the bronze. (XZ)