Imperial robe, silk tapestry (kesi), China, Qing dynasty, probably Kangxi period (1662-1722)

Imperial Robe of silk tapestry (kesi), woven in shades of blue, and white. Large five-clawed dragons with the rayed jewels stand out from the clouded background, which is studded with circular shou (longevity) characters and flying bats bearing swastika symbols in their mouths; the interspaces are occupied by square dragon plaques, sacrificial wine-cups and other symbolic objects, and pheasants; below are sea-waves. The sun, moon and stars are depicted on the upper part of the robe, the sun displaying its symbol the three-legged bird, and the moon its symbol the hare pounding the drug of immortality; the stars are shown in a constellation of three joined together. The borders are of brocade with similar designs.

Purchased from Mr. P. Kierulff (Villa Peking, Hellerup, Denmark), accessioned in 1901. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Purchased. Registered File number 31783/191.

Note on register:
Imperial robe of woven silk brocade (kesi), executed mainly in different shades of blue, in the style of the Kangxi period (1662-1722), the large five-clawed dragons of convential form with the rayed jewels stand out from the clouded background which is studded at regular intervals with circular "shou" characters and flying bats bearing swastika symbols in their mouths, the interspaces occupied by square dragon plaques, sacrificial wine-cups and pheasants, such as those painted on the imperial robes of pre-Confucian times. The striped border and dragon brocade of the shaped collar follow the orthodox pattern.

1624-1901