Lot Essay
Couched gold and embroidered gauze roundels with shou characters are very rare and only one related example appears to have been published (see D. Hugus, Chinese Rank Badges: Symbols of Power, Wealth, and Intellect in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Hong Kong, 2021, p. 122, no. 13.18 and Christie's New York, 22-23 September 2022, lot 862). For an example of a robe with similarly rendered shou roundels featuring double chilong, possibly made for the consort of the prince second in line for the throne, see, D. Hugus, Chinese Rank Badges: Symbols of Power, Wealth, and Intellect in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Hong Kong, 2021, p. 123, fig. 13.19.