A beautiful, heart-shaped hebao or scent purse which is made with counted stitches on silk gauze (naxiou).  It uses meticulous counted thread technique over a fine open-weave silk gauze background. The artisan counted the warp and weft of background mesh threads to create geometric stitchs - an exceptionally time-consuming technique reserved for high-quality luxury items in the Qing Dynasty.  It features a crane which is associated with the first rank of civil officials.

The condition is good.  The needlework is impressively vibrant showing minimal fadiing.  The top pleated collar and drawstring channel are intact.  There is structural wear to the foundational silk gauze mesh.  Splits and thread breakage are visible as well as fraying of the back material.  We note two openings in the stitchwork, as pictured.

3-½” wide x 3-½” tall