Lute Treasure Bloom: Tang-dynasty Mother-of-Pearl Art Woven into Song Brocade

The Treasure Bloom, also known as Immortal Bloom or Precious Lotus, is one of the classic auspicious motifs and among the Three Auspicious Emblems of traditional Chinese ornamentation. It flourished during the Sui and Tang dynasties. As a decorative pattern imbued with meanings of “treasure” and “immortality”, it stands for sanctity, dignity and beauty.

The Pattern

1300 years ago, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Yang Yuhuan presented a sandalwood inlaid lute to Emperor Shomu of Japan. Displayed at the Shōsōin Repository, this precious artifact reveals its full splendour. Its surface is adorned with Treasure Bloom patterns carrying the symbolism of treasure and immortality, endowing this musical instrument with profound cultural depth.

The Treasure Bloom is not a flower found in nature. It is an ideal blossom conceived by ancient craftsmen, blending features of lotus, peony and pomegranate petals. Radiating in symmetrical, full layers, it bears the decorative language of Tang Buddhist art.

This is a motif spanning two dynasties. Born on the back of that legendary Tang lute, it is reborn through the weaving craft of Song Brocade. This is Lute Treasure Bloom, a highly distinctive geometric roundel Song Brocade pattern of ancient origin. It is often mistaken for modern monogram prints, yet it originates from a classic Tang-dynasty oriental ornament.

Craft & Authenticity

The Lute Treasure Bloom Song Brocade adopts the Sanma Song Brocade weft-figured technique, with flexible colour changes via floating sheds and multi-weft figuring as its defining feature. Floating pattern wefts create contrasting colours on the front and reverse sides. When the fabric is turned, the petals show subtle colour shifting and halo effects. Fine wrapped gold and champagne gold threads outline each layer of petals. Gold is applied subtly, delivering soft, delicate shimmer without harsh glare. The base is made of 100% 6A-grade mulberry silk, with wrapped gold threads defining the petal outlines.

What makes Lute Treasure Bloom so captivating: this familiar, orderly repeating geometric pattern was once an inlaid palace ornament of the High Tang, embedded on a lute that travelled along the Silk Road as a state gift. Modern artisans have lifted this mother-of-pearl motif from ancient wood and re-woven its geometry into the twill and floating coloured wefts of Song Brocade.

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