A CUT SKY BLUE GROUND KESI DRAGON ROBE AND AN UNCUT KESI DRAGON PANEL QING DYNASTY, MID-19TH CENTURY

the cut dragon robe finely woven with eight gold dragons on a sky blue ground amid ruyi clouds, bats and anbaxian symbols (attributes of the Eight Daoist Immortals), all above foaming waves crashing against a mountain, hemmed with a lishui border; and an uncut panel used as a table cover, woven in kesi with four roundels each enclosing a frontal dragon under a shou character amid clouds and bats, all set against a navy blue ground

The robe is cut around the sides. There are loose threads at the head of the bottom left dragon on the front, other minor are loose threads to the woven design, and signs of fraying to the sky blue ground. Areas of losses include: a circa 2 x 2cm area on the waves below the beribboned wheel at the bottom, another 3 x 3cm area on the bottom left dragon head, and several areas of loss in the yellow underlining of the robe particularly to the bottom edge with the largest area of loss measuring circa 3.5 x 3.5cm. The yellow lining is also detached from the robe at one of the sleeves with fraying edges. The uncut kesi panel shows signs of discolouration and colour fading to both the navy-blue ground (the largest area measuring 16 x 6cm) and the embroidered pink underside (about 40%). There is a circa 11cm long area to one of the four wings of the panel where two pink panels are detached from each other suspending loose threads. The kesi-woven design shows loose threads and there are signs of fraying to both sides.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."