![](https://www.horniman.ac.uk/media-collection/146/961/27_8_63_6xii.jpg)
![](https://www.horniman.ac.uk/media-collection/151/895/WI_27_8_63_6xii.jpg)
![](https://www.horniman.ac.uk/media-collection/146/962/27_8_63_6xiidetail.jpg)
One of fourteen papercuts from Tianjin city in Hebei province. Cream papercut depicting a magpie perching on a branch of plum blossom. The magpie, xi que, is symbol of happiness from the word 'xi'; when depicted perching on a branch of plum blossom it forms the rebus 'xi shang mei shao' meaning: happiness is in front of your face. Done using knife-cutting technique, pasted on red silk with cream paper backing.