Embroidered Textile with Cranes and Pine Trees

Embroidered Textile with Cranes and Pine Trees was a gift to Wheaton College by Holcombe and Ethelind Austin, in memory of Sue McCulloch Austin (1885-1987). Created in Japan in the 19th century CE, this black silk cloud-patterned damask textile depicts red-crowned cranes and two pine trees, created from embroidery floss and metal thread. Each tree has a nest containing 3 baby birds. Pine trees often symbolize longevity, while red-crowned cranes represent fidelity. The combination of these two elements is often seen in Japanese art which symbolize loyalty. The textile may once be a docrative element in the proscenium of a small house theater in Japan.