Framed Japanese Relief Embroidery Textile Art of Dragon

A beautiful Japanese textile art panel with a embroidered dragon on a swirling cloud background, nicely framed with a linen matt in an antique-finish silver wood frame with gilt trim. This work of art is circa late Meiji period (1890-1910s) and was likely made for the export market during the time when Japonisme created a craze in the west and all things Japanese considered highly fashionable. The embroidery was done to showcase the coiled dragon in the center forming a roundel with a squared background filled with the pattern of swirling clouds. This is an ancient format derived from Chinese Fengshui "Tian Yuan Di Fang" (Square earth under round heaven). The dragon was done in high relief with silver metallic threads, mostly in thin satin stitches but with significant wrapping and piling for the dimensional effect. The background was done in a slightly darker tone with a very dense couching stitches that form the tightly stylized swirls. The panel is framed in a complimentary antique finish frame to accentuate the color and texture.