Roundel
18th century-19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This roundel would have come from a surcoat (or its unmade dress length) intended for an Emperor or a Prince. It is one of a set of four roundels. This sample would have been on the left shoulder of the surcoat. The front facing five-clawed dragon has the symbol of a three-legged pheasant in a red-disc above its head, one of the Twelve Imperial Insignia normally allowed only to the Emperor by sumptuary law. The symbol of the pheasant in a red disc is for the sun, and along with the constellation and moon symbols that adorn the shoulder roundels (see T.153-1965 and T.153B-1965 respectively), symbolise light on earth and also signalled the seasons.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Embroidered silk with silk and silver gilt threads |
| Brief description | Roundel of silk embroidered with silk and silver gilt threads, China, 18th century-19th century |
| Physical description | Roundel of dark blue silk cut from an Emperor's or Prince's surcoat, formed out of two hemispheric panels. It is embroidered in coloured silk and silver gilt threads in long and short, satin and stem stitches with couched work. It bears a front-facing five-clawed dragon encircling a flaming jewel, amidst clouds, bats and swastikas with sea waves below. The star constellation is one of the twelve imperial symbols. Frame is a latter-day addition. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Object history | Part of a set of four roundels T.153 to C-1965 |
| Summary | This roundel would have come from a surcoat (or its unmade dress length) intended for an Emperor or a Prince. It is one of a set of four roundels. This sample would have been on the left shoulder of the surcoat. The front facing five-clawed dragon has the symbol of a three-legged pheasant in a red-disc above its head, one of the Twelve Imperial Insignia normally allowed only to the Emperor by sumptuary law. The symbol of the pheasant in a red disc is for the sun, and along with the constellation and moon symbols that adorn the shoulder roundels (see T.153-1965 and T.153B-1965 respectively), symbolise light on earth and also signalled the seasons. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.153A-1965 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | January 8, 2010 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
