- 3004
A SUPERB LARGE IMPERIAL 'DRAGON AND PHOENIX' KESI CANOPY MING DYNASTY, WANLI PERIOD
Estimate
6,000,000 - 8,000,000 HKD
bidding is closed
Description
THIS IS A PREMIUM LOT. CLIENTS WHO WISH TO BID ON PREMIUM LOTS MAY BE REQUESTED BY SOTHEBY'S TO COMPLETE THE PRE-REGISTRATION APPLICATION FORM AND TO DELIVER TO SOTHEBY'S A DEPOSIT OF HK$2,500,000, OR SUCH OTHER HIGHER AMOUNT AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY SOTHEBY'S, AND ANY FINANCIAL REFERENCES, GUARANTEES AND/OR SUCH OTHER SECURITY AS SOTHEBY'S MAY REQUIRE IN ITS ABSOLUTE DISCRETION AS SECURITY FOR THE BID. THE BIDnow ONLINE BIDDING SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR PREMIUM LOTS.
intricately woven in vibrant primary colours against a gold ground with a five-clawed en face dragon writhing around a 'flaming pearl' among flowers and clouds, with a golden-amber scaly body, bulging eyes, fierce open jaws flanked by spiky whiskers and a free flowing multi-coloured mane, surrounded by four phoenix, one descending and another ascending on each side, above a pierced garden rock detailed in variegated tones of blue and tumultuous waves along the bottom edge, the scene further detailed with a lush variety of flowers including peony, iris, lingzhi, chrysanthemum, peach blossoms, prunus and hibiscus surrounding the dragon, gardenia and magnolia near the rockery, and camellia, lotus, cherry blossom or morning glory variously encircling the phoenix, all above a band of four of the bajixiang: conch shell, wheel of law, lotus and beribboned vase, alternating with four of the 'Hundred Treasures': ingot, flaming pearl, coral and ruyi, reserved on a red ground, the canopy further framed by a flowing yellow and pink valance
intricately woven in vibrant primary colours against a gold ground with a five-clawed en face dragon writhing around a 'flaming pearl' among flowers and clouds, with a golden-amber scaly body, bulging eyes, fierce open jaws flanked by spiky whiskers and a free flowing multi-coloured mane, surrounded by four phoenix, one descending and another ascending on each side, above a pierced garden rock detailed in variegated tones of blue and tumultuous waves along the bottom edge, the scene further detailed with a lush variety of flowers including peony, iris, lingzhi, chrysanthemum, peach blossoms, prunus and hibiscus surrounding the dragon, gardenia and magnolia near the rockery, and camellia, lotus, cherry blossom or morning glory variously encircling the phoenix, all above a band of four of the bajixiang: conch shell, wheel of law, lotus and beribboned vase, alternating with four of the 'Hundred Treasures': ingot, flaming pearl, coral and ruyi, reserved on a red ground, the canopy further framed by a flowing yellow and pink valance
Condition
The kesi is overall in remarkably very good condition with a few minor thread repairs, and moderate colour fading consistent with age. There is a stain across the right eye of the dragon extending to the upper lip. There may be a possibility that it could be professionally cleaned. The valance is most likely a later replacement.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The bold design and strong colours of the present ‘Dragon and Phoenix’ kesi, depicting a single ferocious five-clawed dragon surrounded by four flying phoenix, are characteristic of Wanli period imperial 'soft' furnishings. The intense colour scheme of Wanli artefacts, where primary colours dominate, is immediately recognizable and most distinctive. The ‘Dragon and Phoenix’ design is also a trademark of the period and was popular for Imperial pieces. The depiction of the 'flaming pearl' is especially worth noting; with its concentric rings of three different colours, white, light sky blue and navy, and the flame emerging from the centre, it is characteristic to Wanli designs and may be seen, for example, on a brocaded dragon robe of similar date, in the National Silk Museum, Hangzhou, published in Zhao Fang, Treasures of Silk, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 09.05. A similar 'flaming pearl' may also be seen on a throne carpet offered in these rooms, 7th October 2006, lot 927. See the dragon and pearl design on an embroidered robe, found in the inner coffin of Empress Xiaojing, excavated from the Dingling tomb, illustrated in Sekai bijutsu dai zenshu, vol. 8, Tokyo, 1999, pls. 237-8; and the four phoenix depicted on a pao robe, in the Chongqing City Museum, Chongqing, included ibid., pls. 239-40.
An imperial buzi or rank badge made in kesi with the dragon motif is published in Silks for Thrones and Altars, Myrna Myers, n.p., 2003, pl. 13, where on p. 38, it is noted that front-facing dragons ranked higher than those shown in profile, and that the emperor, heir apparent and the first four ranks of princes, including the Emperor’s sons, brothers, uncles and brother-in-law, were entitled to use five-clawed long dragon roundels. It is also mentioned (ibid., p. 38) that the quality of the kesi weaving seen on the buzi is also indicative of the skilled craftsmanship associated with the workshops under imperial patronage.
Another Wanli period kesi woven with a dragon surmounted by two phoenix is illustrated in Soame Jenyns, Chinese Art, London, 1981, p. 73, pl. 36; and a further example, in the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, is published in William Watson, The Art of Dynastic China, London, 1981, fig. 688. Compare also an embroidered and cut-velvet panel with the dragon design sold in our New York rooms, 27th March 2003, lot 98, attributed to the Wanli period; and a kesi fragment showing a vibrant five-clawed dragon emerging from cresting waves, also sold in the same sale, lot 96.
A hanging kesi tapestry depicting male and female phoenix amidst peonies in rich and bold colours, attributed to circa 1600 of Wanli’s reign, is published in Shelagh Vainker, Chinese Silk. A Cultural History, London, 2004, pl. 106, together with a pair of kesi chair panels of slightly later attribution (17th century), pl. 102, with the dragon design.
An imperial buzi or rank badge made in kesi with the dragon motif is published in Silks for Thrones and Altars, Myrna Myers, n.p., 2003, pl. 13, where on p. 38, it is noted that front-facing dragons ranked higher than those shown in profile, and that the emperor, heir apparent and the first four ranks of princes, including the Emperor’s sons, brothers, uncles and brother-in-law, were entitled to use five-clawed long dragon roundels. It is also mentioned (ibid., p. 38) that the quality of the kesi weaving seen on the buzi is also indicative of the skilled craftsmanship associated with the workshops under imperial patronage.
Another Wanli period kesi woven with a dragon surmounted by two phoenix is illustrated in Soame Jenyns, Chinese Art, London, 1981, p. 73, pl. 36; and a further example, in the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, is published in William Watson, The Art of Dynastic China, London, 1981, fig. 688. Compare also an embroidered and cut-velvet panel with the dragon design sold in our New York rooms, 27th March 2003, lot 98, attributed to the Wanli period; and a kesi fragment showing a vibrant five-clawed dragon emerging from cresting waves, also sold in the same sale, lot 96.
A hanging kesi tapestry depicting male and female phoenix amidst peonies in rich and bold colours, attributed to circa 1600 of Wanli’s reign, is published in Shelagh Vainker, Chinese Silk. A Cultural History, London, 2004, pl. 106, together with a pair of kesi chair panels of slightly later attribution (17th century), pl. 102, with the dragon design.