Cushion Cover Possibly 1644 - 1911

This silk cushion cover was produced by the Manchu people, an ethnic minority who ruled China during the Qing dynasty. Textiles like this offer a glimpse into the lives of women in Manchu society. They were responsible for creating textiles for clothing, household use, and trade. Embroidery allowed women to express their creativity, while reinforcing traditional gender roles and social hierarchies. The motifs seen here—phoenixes, dragons, peonies—aren’t merely decorative. They are potent symbols of wealth, status, and imperial power. These cushion covers are beautiful objects, but they also remind us of the complex relationships between art, labor, and identity. They speak to the ways in which artistic expression can be both a source of personal fulfillment and a reflection of broader cultural and political forces.