Rare panneau de soie tissée à fond jaune, kesi Dynastie Qing, époque Qianlong (1736-1795)

finément tissé d'un grand lotus rose pâle épanoui central entouré de quatre chauves-souris et svastika rehaussées de rouge, encerclés de lotus et têtes de ruyi, puis de pêches de longévité, encadré d'une bordure brodée de fils d'or, puis de lotus de différentes teintes de rose dans des rinceaux en camaïeu de bleu, le tout sur fond jaune vif

Acquired in China in the early 1900s.
Thence in the family by descent.

The panel is in overall very good condition. It may have been cut from a larger piece as the edges are frayed where it was cut. There is some sort of adhesive along the upper and lower edge of the textile and a ca. 12cm long old tear on the upper left hand side which was stitched together with a metallic thread (visible as a dark line in the catalogue illustration). The colours are vibrant and rich, the motifs extremely finely woven with some painted details.
"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."

Yellow was the dynastic colour of the Manchu and the clear bright yellow was reserved for the emperor and his chief consort alone. Like their garments, the furnishings used inside the rooms within the Forbidden City revealed their owner's rank. Brightly embroidered or woven yellow silk textiles were used only in the intimate living quarters of the emperor and the bright yellow ground of this finely wovn kesi fragment indicates that it may have come from the private chambers of the emperor.