Resht work, plain weave felted wool, patchwork, inlaid work, embroidered with silk in a variety of stitches predominantly chain stitch with some details in straight stitches and couched metal thread. Note: researchers may use the terms applique and tambour when searching for this category of textile even though they are incorrect.
Pieced and embroidered over the seams. Cream/white ground, a large motif of two conjoined peacocks [there are scalloped feather or peacock eyes on the body] terminating in an upward vertical trefoiled stalk is worked in laid and couched metal thread over cotton padding with straight stitched details [eg. The 'eyes' of the feathers] in green and coral pink - now both faded and some light blue. The composite motif is edged with dark blue resht work and outlined with green and coral red, now both faded, cord.
A meandering embroidered stem emerges from each bird's back, splitting into a number of branches. One curving around and down the side of the bird while the main stems form two irregular stems criss-crossing each other. These hold multi-coloured blossoms and buds and blue and black leaves. A crested bird perches on the side branches.
The outlines are worked in either metal thread laid in a cord of four threads Z-twisted or a cord of two red silk and silver Z-twisted threads.
Embroidery thread: 2S; yellow, red[ faded to pink], white, black, grey, cream, light blue, blue, pink, red, beig
e and light green.
Metal thread: silver and silver-gilt strip close S-wound on a white silk core. The thread used for couching is 2S cream and grey silk. Inserts: yellow, two mid-blues, dark blue, light brown, white, two shades of light green, black, red, purple and pink.
See also 787-1899 which is probably the top part of this panel. A section of about 22 cm would complete the panel.
A similar panel is incorporated into an early 19th century tent sold at Sotheby's in April 1991 and now in a private collection. See Hali issue 59 October 1991 p.118.