AN IMPERIAL YELLOW-GROUND EMBROIDERED 'DRAGON' THRONE CUSHION COVER QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

centered with a full-frontal gold-couched dragon coiled around a 'flaming pearl', surrounded by four further dragons, all amidst auspicious clouds interspersed with bats clutching peaches, bordered by a band of turbulent waves, terrestrial diagrams and precious objects, framed and glazed 

Paul Seidenberg, New York.

Please note that this lot is dated 18th/19th century. The piece is framed and has not been examined outside of the frame. Some of the couching threads are loose and some have been lost., most noticeably in the precious objects in the wave border on the left, and in one dragons claw. Some of the drafting lines are visible. There is a stain and a repair on the top left corner, and another small stain near the central dragon's rear claw. There are scattered loose threads and minot pulls to the embroidery and to the silk ground. There are four small tears and a few small holes, as well as other minor signs of use. Overall the colors remain vibrant.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Another example of a dragon cushion cover was sold in these rooms, 17th and 18th September, lot 238, and further examples are illustrated in Robert J. Jacobson, Imperial Silks: Ch'ing Dynasty Textiles in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, vol. II, Minneapolis, 2000, nos. 401 - 405.