Silk purse with very fine embroidery in ‘Peking’ stitch. It was clearly intended as a wedding gift with a decoration consisting of Cranes (Longevity), two Magpies and a Plum flower (Marital bliss), a Lingzhi fungus (Longevity), a butterfly (Happy marriage) and a Pine tree. The Pine tree and the Crane together represent the wish for the newly wedded couple to be together until old age. The purse was used but is still in excellent condition. It dates from the end of the Qing period (1644 – 1912). Length 14.5 cm. Width 8.5 cm.