Description A large Chinese woven silk "Dragon" panel for a robe
17th Century
Of roughly cruciform design with two sinuous four-clawed "Mang" dragons pursuing a flaming jewel, among colorful clouds with ruyi-head forms, and rocks among waves, against a dark blue ground with a pattern of clouds, further dragons to upper and lower borders.
NOTE: For a similar late 17th century panel, of brocaded silk gauze, for a Manchu formal court robe, see "Ruling from the Dragon Throne, Costume of the Qing Dynasty", p. 93, fig. 4.10. Such format where the dragons encircle the collar derive from robes of the Ming dynasty, such as that illustrated in the portrait of a Ming dynasty official, in Valery Garrett, "Chinese Dress from the Qing Dynasty to the Present", Hong Kong, 2007, p. 6, fig 1.
H: 78, W: 52 in.
Condition Report Comprised of at least four separate panels, areas of wear and fraying, loose threads throughout, some probable muting to colors, losses to ground in center, upper edge folded over with extensive losses, mounted on later light blue cotton backing with later fiber-tape reinforcement at back of lower edge 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.