A magnificent Chinese silk kesi 'Peach Festival' hanging scroll, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), richly embroidered in bright colours with a lively scene depicting immortals celebrating the birthday of Xiwangmu, Queen Mother of the West, of a pantheon of Daoist immortals and deities, including He He Erxian, Liu Hai, Shoulao and the Eight Immortals, on a garden terrace with lingzhi , pine and peach trees issuing from rockwork, awaiting the arrival of Xiwangmu, who descends from the sky seated astride her phoenix with her entourage of attendants, a crane in flight above, 175 x 89cm The ‘Peach Festival’, according to legend, takes place every 3000 years at the Jade Palace in the Kunlun Mountains in the Western paradise. A traditional Daoist theme, the festival is part of the celebrations for Xiwangmu’s birthday, during which she gifts immortals with the Peaches of Eternal Life, so their immortality may continue. This scroll captures the moment the immortals wait in anticipation for Xiwangmu, who is seen making a grand entrance on the back of a phoenix. The panel’s auspicious theme made it ideal to present at birthdays. For a similar lot, see Sotheby's, London, 13 May 2015, lot 122. 清 缂丝蟠桃会图挂幅