CHINESE BLUE-GROUND GAUZE 'NINE DRAGONS' SUMMER ROBE, JIFU
QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY
£4,536
Auction: 08 November 2024 from 10:00 GMT
Description
清 藍地納紗繡金九龍雲蝠鶴紋吉服袍
finely embroidered in couched gold thread with nine five-clawed dragons, two on the front and back shown front facing while the others reach for the pearl, all amidst ruyi clouds interspersed with the attributes of the Eight Taoist Immortals and bats, all set above lishui stripes and auspicious emblems and beasts emerging from swirling waves and soaring mountain, the sleeves terminating in horse-hoof cuffs, the collar band and cuffs similarly embroidered and edged with gold brocade
Dimensions
206cm across sleeves; 134cm high
Provenance
Private collection, East Lothian
私人收藏，蘇格蘭東洛錫安郡
Footnote
Government officials and members of the imperial court were entitled to wear dragon robes. Designs and colours were regulated by rank; for example, only the emperor, the heir apparent, empress, and empress dowager could wear yellow robes. Only the imperial family and high-ranking princes were allowed to wear robes with nine dragons. Only the upper echelons were allowed to wear dragons with five claws; the lower orders wore four-clawed dragons.
The eight colourful dragons on the main body of the robe (five on the front, three on the back) are shown in different positions, such as front-facing and rising. The ninth dragon is hidden inside the flap.
The designs on this robe were embroidered on top of a woven gauze fabric. This robe is made of gauze fabric that is like a very fine net, which allows air to circulate and keeps its wearer cool in warm weather. Most of the embroidery stitches are vertical and cover about two rows of the gauze weave.