A RICHLY EMBROIDERED BLUE SILK DRAGON ROBE, JIFU

LATE 19TH CENTURY

Details

A RICHLY EMBROIDERED BLUE SILK DRAGON ROBE, JIFU
LATE 19TH CENTURY
Finely worked in satin stitch and dense couched gold threads with nine writhing five-clawed dragons amidst cloud clusters interspersed with auspicious emblems including bats, fish, shou characters and beribboned Buddhist and Daoist emblems, all above the terrestrial diagram and lishui stripe at the hem, all picked out in shades of blue, grey, yellow and bright purple, with gold-striped sleeve extentions and matching black-ground collar and cuffs
56 in. (142 cm.) long x 85¼ (216.5 cm.) across

Lot Essay

The color combination of blue and blue-grey tones on this robe is unusual for a dragon robe of this type and provides a striking contrast to the vivid purple accents of the flames, bats and stripes at the hem. The high quality of the gold couching and the embroidery indicate that it must have been made for a person of high status.

The shou medallions scattered on the cloud ground represent a wish for longevity and the bats are symbols of blessings.

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