This beautiful depiction of a Giant Panda in a bamboo forest has been exquisitely hand created using the ancient Chinese technique of straw patchwork, a once lost folk-art form that has had a much-celebrated renaissance in the last few years. Using vivid gloss colours combined with a dark, velveteen background, the natural grace and splendour of the Giant Panda has been artfully captured. Straw patchwork is an ancient Chinese folk-art form, originally found in the royal collection of the Sui Dynasty (581-681 AD). These age-old techniques were rediscovered in the latter part of the Twentieth Century and through years of experimentation and research, this once lost art form has now been perfected. The process begins by soaking wheat straw and then smoking, steaming and bleaching it. The straw is then flattened and the huge variety of colours produced through ironing the surface and therefore carbonising the strands. Finally the straw is cut and woven at which point it is formed into the amazing images represented by Mr. Cui’s artwork. The artist himself has over thirty years experience and has honed his craft to perfection during that time, becoming incredibly masterful at manipulating the many thousands of fine straws required to fashion a piece of work of this magnitude. Three-dimensional and raised from the background on which it is presented, this is an astounding representation not only of the ancient technique of straw patchwork, but of the Panda itself. This would make a perfect gift for someone special, be they family member or friend and would look fantastic in either a modern or traditional home.