Lot 515
  • 515

AN IMPERIAL YELLOW KESI TWELVE-SYMBOL SEMI-FORMAL DRAGON ROBE (JIFU) QING DYNASTY, TONGZHI PERIOD

Estimate
100,000 - 150,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • textile
woven with nine five-clawed dragons, one on the inner flap, surrounded by blue clouds, interspersed with bats carrying auspicious objects, with stylized shou characters and the 'Twelve Symbols of Imperial Authority', the sun, moon, rock and constellation around the neck, the fu symbol, ax, small dragon and pheasant around the chest and back, and the sacrificial vessels, water weeds, flames and grains just below the waist, all enclosed by lishui, cloud and wave borders with auspicious objects and  terrestrial diagrams at the hem and sleeves, the sleeve extensions of midnight-blue ribbed silk, the collar band and cuffs decorated with dragons, bats and clouds

Provenance

Sotheby's New York, 7th and 8th April 1988, lot 111.

Condition

There are holes to the shoulders, and tears to the bodies of the dragons and the sleeve extensions along the fold lines of both arms. The button loops are worn. there is wear to the yellow/brown lishui stripe in the back above the hem. Overall there is minor puckering to the kesi and light signs of use.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Another example of a Daoguang period Twelve-Symbol robe was sold in these rooms, 11th April 1990, lot 169. A late 19th century example is illustrated in Robert D. Jacobson, Imperial Silks, Ch'ing Dynasty Textiles in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, vol. 1, Minneapolis, 2000, no. 21.