A massive documentary silk embroideryDated by inscription to the summer of 1889
Possibly intended as a gift to Vietnam, consisting of a central yellow silk rectangular panel decorated with applied red inscription and framed by a delicate archaistic border, surrounded by five finely embroidered silk hems, each respectively of brown, blue, red, green and red silk, each variously embroidered with scrolling flowers, deer, and other auspicious motifs.
480cm (189in) x 399cm (157 1/8in)注脚The central panel inscribed:

保護南邦 meaning 'Protect the Southern Nation'.
成泰元年 夏 書奉 Dated Summer 1889 and dedicated to Emperor Thành Thái (reign 1889-1907).