Burgundy Peony Garden — Vintage Multicolour Bird & Floral Cotton
A lively burgundy vintage folk cotton print with multicolour peonies, five-petalled blossoms and stylised birds against a fine white diamond lattice.
- Object ID
- TA-NT-0042
- Origin
- Nantong · Attributed to Haimen / Qidong, Nantong, Jiangsu
- Period
- c. 1950s–1960s
- Dating confidence
- estimated
- Material
- Traditional hand-spun and handwoven cotton
- Dimensions
- Approx. 42 × 190 cm / 16.5 × 74.8 in, sold as one whole uncut piece
- Technique
- Multicolour folk printing (attributed) · Handwoven homespun
- Pattern
- Peony · Five-petalled spring flowers · Stylised birds · White diamond lattice
- Colours
- Burgundy · Coral pink · Powder blue · Deep blue · Pale green · Cream
- Washed
- Yes
Object condition
Washed and ironed. Relatively thin, soft and flexible with several small holes, localised fraying and age-related wear. Please inspect all close-up photographs.
Identification notes
Owner-matched Etsy listing 4597238314 and corresponding 17 October 2026 photographs, offered as one whole length of 42 × 190 cm.
The owner attributes this traditional homespun cotton to Nantong, Haimen / Qidong, and dates it to approximately the 1950s–1960s; the original maker is unknown.
The multicolour design was directly printed in a rural workshop according to the owner's assessment. Unlike the blue-and-white pieces, this is NOT indigo stencil-resist cloth.
Hand-registration irregularities and gentle colour shifts are visible in the blossoms and floral arrangement; exact printing blocks or methods have not been independently determined.
Peonies, spring blossoms and little birds
The large blossoms evoke peonies, a folk symbol of abundance, prosperity and beauty. Smaller five-petalled blossoms recall the promise of spring and renewal.
The birds suggest auspicious garden imagery and may recall magpies, traditionally associated with joyful news. Exact bird species is not documented.
The cream white lattice contrasts with the free-flowing flowers, while pink, blue and pale-green printed layers give the burgundy ground its distinctive cheerful character.
