An imperial silk and metallic thread 'dragon and phoenix’ carpet, Late Qing dynasty

Sotheby's New York, 17th March 2015, lot 218.

Compare a carpet bearing a Yongren Gong yuyong mark, sold in our London rooms, 15th May 2013, lot 72, and another from the Ningshou Gong was sold in these rooms, 11th and 12th September 2012, lot 234. Another rug from the Chuxiu Gong, but with a beiyong mark was sold in these rooms, 9th November 2011, lot 133.

The Chuxiu Gong was constructed in 1420 and rebuilt in 1655. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it served as the residence of the Empress and Imperial concubines. Empress Dowager Cixi lived there in 1852 when she was first made a sixth ranked concubine, guiren. She later gave birth to the Tongzhi Emperor there in 1856, and was promoted to a fourth ranked concubine, fei. In 1884, to commemorate her 50th birthday, she made the Chuxiu Gong her official residence.