A RARE IMPERIAL GOLD AND SILVER-EMBROIDERED BLUE-GROUND TWELVE-SYMBOL DRAGON ROBE, JIFU

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PROPERTY SOLD TO BENEFIT THE FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY*

A RARE IMPERIAL GOLD AND SILVER-EMBROIDERED BLUE-GROUND TWELVE-SYMBOL DRAGON ROBE, JIFU

QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details

A RARE IMPERIAL GOLD AND SILVER-EMBROIDERED BLUE-GROUND TWELVE-SYMBOL DRAGON ROBE, JIFU
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
Worked entirely in couched gold and silver threads with eight writhing five-clawed dragons chasing flaming pearls against a ground of stylized flowers and tendrils above foaming and rolling waves centered by the terrestrial diagram and the undulating lishui stripe, the twelve symbols arranged in three groups of four: the sun, moon, constellations and rock around the neck; the fu symbol, axe head, pair of small dragons and golden pheasant around the body; the sacrificial vessels, water plant, flame and grain above the waves
55 in. (139.7 cm.) long, elaborate gilt-wood and plexiglass display case and stand

Provenance

Teresa Coleman, Hong Kong.

Special notice

This lot is exempt from Sales Tax.

Lot Essay

On Qing dynasty dragon robes, the Twelve Symbols of Imperial Authority make their first appearance during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (1736-1795). Given that no other figure could wear this insignia, it is highly likely that this robe was made for Qianlong. When dressed in this robe, the emperor would become the center of the cosmos with the twelve symbols at his control. Twelve-symbol robes of this blue color were worn specifically during the annual sacrificial ceremonies for rain and a good harvest.
A Qianlong period gold-embroidered blue-ground dragon robe, lacking the the twelve symbols of Imperial authority, but with a very similar floral ground, is illustrated in Heavens' Embroidered Cloths: One Thousand Years of Chinese Textiles, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1995, p. 218, no. 63.

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