Not on display

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 back of the surcoat. The front facing five-clawed dragon has the symbol of a mountain above its head, one of the Twelve Imperial Insignia normally allowed only to the Emperor by sumptuary law. The symbol of the mountain symbolised the domain of the emperor as well as the place where people hunted and gathered.

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 mountain is one of the twelve imperial symbols.

Frame is a latter-day addition.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 30.5cm
  • Diameter: 12in
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 back of the surcoat. The front facing five-clawed dragon has the symbol of a mountain above its head, one of the Twelve Imperial Insignia normally allowed only to the Emperor by sumptuary law. The symbol of the mountain symbolised the domain of the emperor as well as the place where people hunted and gathered.
Collection
Accession number
T.153C-1965

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Record createdJanuary 8, 2010
Record URL
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