Rare robe impériale aux huit médaillons en soie à fond jaune Dynastie Qing, XVIIIE-XIXE siècle

richement brodée sur fond jaune de huit médaillons abritant des dragons, deux représentés de face sur la poitrine et dans le dos surmontant deux autres de profil se faisant face et deux de face sur les épaules, en réserve sur fond de fleurs de lotus parmi les rinceaux bleus et rouges, les manches et le col agrémentés de bandes de dragons sur fond noir et la partie basse de rayures obliques multicolores et vagues stylisées

Family of Li Hongzhang (1823-1901).
Acquired from the grandson of the above in Shanghai in 1948.

The robe is in overall very good condition, with very few loose gold threads, mostly around the neck, the button loops, and the sleeves. The border around the neck, continuing along the border of the lapet is partly unsewn, mostly behind the neck. The yellow background is of a slightly more yellow tone than the catalogue illustration would suggest. The other colors are consistent with the catalogue illustration.
"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."

The eight five-clawed dragon medaillons on the present woman's robe and the additional bands of dragons at the elbows identify it as having been worn by either the empress, the empress dowager or a female member of the emperor's immediate family including the highest-ranking imperial consorts. Only the empress and the empress dowager were allowed to wear full-length coarts, longgua, bearing eight roundels above a lishui or standing water border at the hem. See John E. Vollmer, Silk for Thrones and Altars. Chinese Costumes and Textiles from the Liao through the Qing Dynasty, Paris, 2004, p. 40, and Gary Dickinson and Linda Wrigglesworth, Imperial Wardrobe, London, 1990, pp. 192 ff.