A Li long bei with writhing dragons and a flaming pearl, from Hainan Island, South China. Unusually, the dragons and auspicious motifs fill the entire central field rather than being confined within the rectangular panel typical of most long bei—a feature that suggests an early example, possibly dating to the late Ming–early Qing transition. Among the most graphically compelling of all dragon covers, the design balances fine detail with bold, confident drawing, executed in silk embroidery across three separately woven cotton panels. Published in HALI Magazine, “Long Bei, Ceremonial Dragon Covers of the Li of Hainan” (2003). 4'0" × 6'3" (1.22 × 1.91 m)

Known to HALI readers as a specialist in the textile art of mainland Southeast Asia and China, the author, like many in the trade, had a very different professional career before entering the art world. Originally an architect, about a quarter of a century ago he and his family were based in the Gulf state of Bahrain, where he fell under the spell of the Persian carpet weavers’ craft.