Japanese Fukusa Relief Embroidery Textile Art of Dragon

A visually stunning Japanese fukusa panel with an embroidered dragon on a swirling cloud background, nicely displayed on a scarlet felt matt in a carved black wood frame with an antique-finish rose gold trim. This piece of textile art is likely dated to circa late Meiji period (1890s-1910s) and was made as a fukusa, the silk panel that was used to wrap the important gift during presentation. The embroidery was done to showcase the coiled dragon in the center forming a roundel with the background filled with swirling clouds. This suggests an ancient format derived from Chinese Fengshui "Tian Yuan Di Fang" (square earth under the circular heaven). The dragon was done in high relief with gold metallic threads, mostly in satin stitches but with significant wrapping and piling for the dimensional effect. The background was done in a subtle golden tones as well and with dense couching stitches that form the tightly stylized swirls. Four tassels on the corner remain. The panel is stitched onto the felt background in the frame, which is not covered with glass or acrylic, vividly exposes the color and texture of the piece.