清乾隆 緙絲《御筆創業守成難易說》包首, Scroll Cover for Imperial Calligraphy, Qing dynasty (1644?1911), Qianlong period (1736?95), China, Silk and metallic thread tapestry (kesi), Overall: 15 x 13 1/2 in. (38. 1 x 34. 3 cm), Textiles-Tapestries, This wonderful textile illustrates the continuation of the use of luxurious tapestries as covers for paintings and calligraphies. The inscription states that it was produced to accompany the Qianlong Emperor?s calligraphy of his own essay discussing the difficulty and ease of founding and maintaining an empire