Showrooms

Antique Chinese Imperial Dragon Robe Qing Dynasty

Offered by: Tishu

Description
A blue silk embroidered dragon robe known in Chinese as Jifu (Auspicious Dress) circa mid-late 19th century from the Imperial Qing dynasty of China. The robe is elaborately embroidered with gold, silver and color threads with allover designs. Eight five-claw lung dragon roundels with flaming pearls are featured in the front, back and shoulder among the eight Taoist auspicious symbols such as cranes, fans and bats. the four roundels on the front and back chest as well as the shoulders show the frontal dragon while the other four on the mid-body show the profile of the "walking" dragon. The wide boarder on the lower edge and the sleeves shows Li-shui wave pattern. Then neck band is also embroidered with dragons chasing flaming balls.
The robe is split in the front, a Chinese Han style instead of Manchurian. The sleeves also extended into a more Chinese style with embroidered garden pictorial. This indicates that it belonged to a noble woman of Chinese origin (maybe a consort). The robe is professionally framed in a lucite box for display.
In Imperial Qing court, the dress followed a strict code. A female normally worn the same ranked robe as her father if not married or her husband if married. The formal occasions that required a female to wear dragon robes were far less than males, therefore less female dragon robes were produced and survived.
Compared to a similar front slit robe in the collection of Minneapolis Institute of Art, Acc. no. 42.8.119.
Collection providence available to the buyer. Note that the previous owner displayed the robe with one side exposed to the light for many years. This caused a significant but even fading on the front that somehow is rather pleasing. The back remains an original vibrant blue color and is now on display. The robe can be easily flipped with preference. Both sides are shown in photos. Measurement shown is the frame. The robe itself is 54w x 46h.

More Information

Origin:	China
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	silk, plasitc shadow box
Condition:	Good. Well preserved, no significant losses or frailings. One side is evenly faded into a light blue while the other side remains vivid.
Creation Date:	19th century
Styles / Movements:	Chinese Export, Bespoke, Asian
Incollect Reference #:	315778

Dimensions

W.	67 in;	H.	54 in;	D.	4 in;
W.	170.18 cm;	H.	137.16 cm;	D.	10.16 cm;

Message from Seller:

Tishu, based in Atlanta, GA, offers a diverse collection ranging from Neolithic art to 20th-century collectibles, with a focus on Mid-century design, Japanese and Korean art, Asian textiles, and Contemporary Aboriginal art. Driven by a passion for timeless beauty, the gallery is open by appointment only and offers works that span 5,000 years of history. Reach them at 305-400-0561 or tishu@tishugallery.com.

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