A Chinese embroidered yellow 'Golden Dragon' robe

Early 19th century

Featuring the Forbidden Stitch; with the 'dragon chasing a flaming pearl' motif.

H: 35 3/4, W: 50 1/2 in.

H: 90.81, W: 128.27 cm. (all measurements are approximate)

Provenance: Private collection, Kentucky. Acquired in China prior to 1949.

Condition: Thread wear and staining; repair to the collar.

This dragon robe has an orthodox and graceful form. The collar and cuffs are decorated with patterns consisting of dragons, clouds, and waves on an azure bottom. Above the cuffs are parallel stripes, symbolizing stability. The yellow garment is embroidered with five-color auspicious clouds. Flying amongst the clouds are nine fierce golden dragons, chasing flaming pearls and surrounded by flames. Treasures of the eight immortals are scattered throughout. The lower part of the robe is ornamented with patterns of sea waves, cliffs, longevity stones, and the treasures of the eight immortals, symbolizing unification and endless reign. Along this robe's trim are repeating patterns of five-color wave stripes, decorated with embroidery of longevity peaches, bats, and peonies, symbolizing longevity, prosperity and wealth. This style of ornamentation is relatively rare on surviving dragon robes. Dragon robes have always been scarce, and this robe is among the best for its exquisite craftsmanship and harmonious use of color, indicating that it could have once been possessed by a crown prince during mid-Qing dynasty. For a similar item, see the Metropolitan Museum of Art, No. 30.75.8, as seen in figure 1. See the Palace Museum, No. 00042995, as seen in figure 2. See Christie's, London, November 2019, Lot 227.

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十九世紀早 茶色地刺繡盤金龍袍

此件龍袍圓領，大襟右衽，前後開裾，茶色素綢接袖，馬蹄式袖口，片金緣。石青地海水雲龍紋紋領、袖邊，接袖袖口處裝飾海水平水紋，寓意「四海清平」。香色袍面滿緙五色祥雲。雲中現九條金龍，身環火焰，爪戲火珠，矯健威猛。雲間點綴八寶紋。下幅為海水江崖與八寶立水紋，寓意「一統山河」，另加壽山石紋，以表「江山萬代」。五色水腳裝飾壽桃與蝙蝠以及牡丹紋，寓意福壽雙全，富貴榮華。這種裝飾在存世龍袍中較為少見，大都會博物院有件18世紀龍袍與其類似，可作參考。龍袍歷來就是珍貴之物，而本品工精細平薄，配色層次豐富，暈色和諧。本件龍袍做工如此華麗精美，定不會是一般皇子，應為清中期皇太子所有。

參閱大都會博物館館藏，編號30.75.8，見圖1；故宮博物院館藏，編號故00042995，見圖2。參閱佳士得拍賣2019年11月倫敦拍賣，編號227。