Lady's robe, silk tapestry (kesi) with painted details, China, Qing dynasty, probably Qianlong period (1736-1795)

Lady's sleeveless surcoat, of silk tapestry (kesi), woven in coloured silks and gold thread on a dark-blue silk ground; some of the details have been executed with the brush. Covered with baskets of fruit and flowers hung with ribbons and tassels. The fruit consists of bunches of grapes with vine-leaves, and the Buddha's hand citron. Among the flowers are the pink lotus, the tree-peony, the herbaceous peony, the fairy narcissus, the marguerite daisy and the sacred fungus. The borders of the cloak are of similar material with a band of orchids. Lined with pinkish silk.

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:
A lady's cloak, or coat, of woven silk brocade (kesi), with baskets of fruit and flowers hung with ribbons and tassels displayed in bright colours upon a dark blue ground. The flowers are executed in the charming naturalistic style which manifests especially in the Qianlong period (1736-95), boldly outlined, but with most of the intrinsic details filled in by the painter's brush. The fruit consists of bunches of grapes with vine leaves and tendrils, and of the Buddha's hand citron with its bird and blossom. Among the flowers may be noticed the pink lotus with a yellow marguerite daisy, the magnificent tree peony, the herbaceous peony, the fairy narcissus and the sacred fungus of many colours with a sprig of bamboo etc. The borders of the cloak are bound round with a band of orchids woven in similar materials of a somewhat coarser fabric. the coat is lined in pale pink, a colour reserved for the gentler sex in Chinese costume.

1601-1901