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Kesi

China tradition · 5 examples · indicative market tier: $50k–1M (high collector)

Kesi (simplified Chinese: 缂丝; traditional Chinese: 緙絲; pinyin: kèsī) is a technique in Chinese silk tapestry. It is admired for its lightness and clarity of pattern. At first, this technique was chiefly used to protect scrolls containing paintings. Wikipedia →

Types & examples

Tapestry with golden lions and palmettes, 1200s or earlier
Cleveland Museum of Art

Rank Badge (buzi), c. 1500–1550
Cleveland Museum of Art

Tigers Chasing Deer, with Dragon, 1000s–1200
Cleveland Museum of Art

Dragons Chasing Flaming Pearls, 1200s or earlier
Cleveland Museum of Art

Strip of Silk Tapestry (Kesi), 1700s–1800s
Cleveland Museum of Art

Where to buy

1stDibsHigh-end antiques & design marketplaceBrowse listings → LiveAuctioneersAggregated live auctions worldwideBrowse listings → InvaluableAuction-house listings & price archiveBrowse listings → Christie'sMajor-auction results & upcoming salesBrowse listings → EtsyLiving artisans & vintage dealersBrowse listings → eBayBroad secondary market — vet sellers carefullyBrowse listings →

Each link opens a live, image-rich search for this craft on that marketplace. Listings rotate constantly; authenticate significant pieces independently — attribution quality varies widely outside museum collections.