Chinese silk sleeve band with birds

A fine Chinese sleeve panel beautifully embroidered with birds and flowers in silk and gold thread on a cream silk background and dating from the mid nineteenth century. 

As is common with older embroideries using pre-aniline dyes, the iron mordant used to set the black dye has caused some losses to the black thread.  The remaining threads are in very good condition. The cream silk background material has age discoloration and some wear to the folded edges.

The sleeve band has been mounted ready for framing. The displayed fabric measures 560 x 9 mm (22 x 3.5 inches) and the mount 660 x 205 mm (26 x 8 inches).