Imperial robe, silk tapestry (kesi) with painted details, China, Qing dynasty, probably early 18th century

Imperial Robe of silk tapestry (kesi), woven in coloured silks and gold thread on a purple-grey ground. Some of the details have been executed with the brush.
The design is composed of eight circular medallions, each containing a pair of five-clawed dragons in the midst of scrolled clouds upon a fretted background shaped in the centre into a shou (longevity) character. The border and sleeves are mounted with a brocade of similar design on a dark ground.

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:
An Imperial robe of woven silk brocade (kesi) with dragon medallions worked in coloured stitch and gold in the midst of a grey ground. Each medallion contains a pair of five-clawed dragons in the midst of scrolled clouds upon a fretted background shaped in the centre into a shou character. The border of the robe is mounted with a band of similar brocade with a line of dragons and the like surroundings on a dark ground and the sleeves have shaped linings of the same general design. It dates probably from the earlier part of the 18th century.

1602-1901