Description A large Chinese kesi tapestry "Dragons" panel
late Ming/ Early Qing dynasty, 17th/18th Century
Depicting a large sinuous five-clawed dragon in gold and colored thread above two smaller dragons over waves and rock-work, among colorful clouds and auspicious symbols. The upper register depicting two qilin among colorful clouds, a floral and scroll band below. Later dark blue canvas backing.
H: 87 1/2, W: 55 in.
PROVENANCE:
By descent in the family of Augustus Thorndike Perkins (1827-1891) to the mother of the present owners. This tapestry hung for many years in the family summer house, "Sandanwood", Cotuit, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, built in 1863 by Mr. Perkins, heir to an East India trade fortune.
NOTE: Stylistically, this treatment of the dragon and decorative motifs has been dated to the late Ming to early Qing periods. See the detail of a table frontal which incorporated peacock feathers into the weave, dated circa 1600-1650, illustrated in John E. Vollmer, "Five Colours of the Universe, Symbolism in clothes and Fabrics of the Ch'ing Dynasty (1644-1911)", Hong Kong, 1981, p. 19; see also a similar table frontal panel dated to the late Ming-Early Qing period, 1600-1750, in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, illustrated in Dieter Kuhn et al, "Chinese Silk", Yale 2012, p. 422, fig. 8.68. See also the panel, likely a table frontal, sold at Sotheby's London, November 5, 2008, lot 372, and a gold-ground example, sold Christie's London, November 10, 2015, lot 610. The present example is far larger and more compositionally complex than these.
Condition Report Overall tight weave, with a few areas of slits at borders of designs, muting and some fading of colors, areas of fraying in clouds, fraying in waves at outer edges, holes and a 6" x 4" inch stain with associated holes lower left, some fraying along edge join with later canvas backing; slightly reduced at outer edges Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Freeman's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Freeman's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Freeman's. For that reason, Freeman's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. All transactions are governed by Freeman's Conditions of Sale.