Kesi (tapestry)

[3][4] It is a tapestry weave, typically using silk on a small scale compared to European wall hangings.

The density of knots is usually very high, with a gown of the best quality perhaps involving as much work as a much larger European tapestry.

Initially used for small pieces, often with animal, bird and flower decoration, or dragons for imperial clothing, under the Ming dynasty it was used to copy paintings.

"Kesi" means "cut silk," as the technique uses short lengths of weft thread tucked into the textile.

Unlike continuous weft brocade, in kesi, each colour area was woven from a separate bobbin, making the style both technically demanding and time-consuming.