Dragon Robe Panel
1736-1795 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Length for the back of a dragon robe, made from six pieces patched together, of silk tapestry (kesi), woven in coloured silks and gold thread on a yellow ground. A production of one of the imperial looms; intended to be worn by the emperor or a prince of the blood.
The design presents a medley of Confucian, Buddhist and Daoist symbolism. Three five-clawed dragons rise from the waves of the sea, encircled by clouds. The upper dragon represented full-face is coiled round a cosmic medallion with the shou (longevity) character in the centre surrounded by the hanging musical stone, the peach, bat and magic fungus, the attributes of the eight Daoist immortals and other emblens as signs of long life and felicity. The pair of dragons below grasp the flaming jewel of the Buddhist law. The cloud spaces are filled in with diverse forms of the shou character, flying bats, jewelled sceptres and floral sprays. Confucianism is symbolized by the battle-axe and the pair of sacrificial wine-cups.
The front is severely discoloured. There is partial loss on the gold threads on the dragon figures, and several holes of different sizes. There appears to be stains similar to water marks. Warp weft density of the object is 60 x 90 threads / cm2. The cross-sectional width of the warp and weft are 0.1mm and 0.mm respectively.
The design presents a medley of Confucian, Buddhist and Daoist symbolism. Three five-clawed dragons rise from the waves of the sea, encircled by clouds. The upper dragon represented full-face is coiled round a cosmic medallion with the shou (longevity) character in the centre surrounded by the hanging musical stone, the peach, bat and magic fungus, the attributes of the eight Daoist immortals and other emblens as signs of long life and felicity. The pair of dragons below grasp the flaming jewel of the Buddhist law. The cloud spaces are filled in with diverse forms of the shou character, flying bats, jewelled sceptres and floral sprays. Confucianism is symbolized by the battle-axe and the pair of sacrificial wine-cups.
The front is severely discoloured. There is partial loss on the gold threads on the dragon figures, and several holes of different sizes. There appears to be stains similar to water marks. Warp weft density of the object is 60 x 90 threads / cm2. The cross-sectional width of the warp and weft are 0.1mm and 0.mm respectively.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silk tapestry (<i>kesi</i>) |
| Brief description | silk tapestry (kesi), China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-95) |
| Physical description | Length for the back of a dragon robe, made from six pieces patched together, of silk tapestry (kesi), woven in coloured silks and gold thread on a yellow ground. A production of one of the imperial looms; intended to be worn by the emperor or a prince of the blood. The design presents a medley of Confucian, Buddhist and Daoist symbolism. Three five-clawed dragons rise from the waves of the sea, encircled by clouds. The upper dragon represented full-face is coiled round a cosmic medallion with the shou (longevity) character in the centre surrounded by the hanging musical stone, the peach, bat and magic fungus, the attributes of the eight Daoist immortals and other emblens as signs of long life and felicity. The pair of dragons below grasp the flaming jewel of the Buddhist law. The cloud spaces are filled in with diverse forms of the shou character, flying bats, jewelled sceptres and floral sprays. Confucianism is symbolized by the battle-axe and the pair of sacrificial wine-cups. The front is severely discoloured. There is partial loss on the gold threads on the dragon figures, and several holes of different sizes. There appears to be stains similar to water marks. Warp weft density of the object is 60 x 90 threads / cm2. The cross-sectional width of the warp and weft are 0.1mm and 0.mm respectively. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Object history | 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 with 1642-191 for 15s. Registered File number 31783/191. Note on register: Brocade of woven silk (kesi) shaped to make the back of a coat. Finely woven in shaded silks of many colours with the addition of gold thread to define the general outlines and to fill in the forms of the dragons, and the Chinese characters. Executed in the finished style of the Qianlong period (1736-95) without the employment of any painted brushwork to eke out the design. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1643-1901 |
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 | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
