Large beige silk manila shawl decorated with peonies and figures, China, Canton, early 20th century Square in shape, embroidered with polychrome threads in a large central square surrounded by a frieze of large red and pink peony flowers and white lotuses. In the lower part of the shawl, amidst the flowers, Chinese women and dignitaries are depicted on the terraces and passageways of the pavilions. The already embroidered heads of the figures have been embellished by superimposing a sewn-on bone plate on each one, perfectly following the contours of the faces, with the features and hairstyles finely painted in polychrome. A phoenix and two exotic birds border the scene. Long fringes border the textile. 160 x 160 cm - PB. 2580 g A CITES permit, valid for circulation within the EU only, will be given to the buyer.