Physical description Imperial robe of silk tapestry (kesi), woven in coloured silks and gold thread; some of the details have been executed with the brush. Woven with medallions containing five-clawed dragons pursuing or grasping flaming jewels, the intervening space is covered with gold swastika fret overlaid with flying storks and bats, sprays of flowers and scrolled clouds. The lower border and sleeves are encircled with a striped pattern culminating in waves on which symbolical objects are floating. The collar and sleeves have bands of dragon designs on a fretted ground. Lined with light blue silk damask. Place of Origin China (made) Date 1736-95 (made) Artist/maker Unknown Materials and Techniques Silk tapestry (kesi) with painted details, lined with silk damask Dimensions Length: 140.97 cm, Width: 172.72 cm of one side at bottom Object history note Purchased. Registered File number 31783/1901. Note on register: Imperial robe of woven brocade (kesi) of the Qianlong period (1736-95), of unusually close design and finished execution, although in some places the bird and flowers are lightly touched with the brush. Covered with medallions containing five-clawed dragons enveloped by flames and clouds, in the intervals of a ground of gold swastika fret overlaid with flying storks and bats and occasional sprays of peony, chrysanthemum and other flowers which is interrupted by brightly variegated scrolls of clouds. The skirt has the usual striped border culminating in rolling waves and spread with floral sprays. The collar and sleeves have bands of the same dragon designs on fretted ground woven upon a smaller scale. Descriptive line Imperial robe, silk tapestry (kesi) with painted details, China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-95) Materials Silk (textile) Techniques Tapestry; Painted; Lining; Damask weaving Subjects depicted Emblems (symbols); Flowers; Swastikas; Bats (animals); Frets (patterns); Stork (bird); Cloud scrolls; Dragons Categories Clothing; Textiles Collection East Asia Collection
Physical description Imperial robe of silk tapestry (kesi), woven in coloured silks and gold thread; some of the details have been executed with the brush. Woven with medallions containing five-clawed dragons pursuing or grasping flaming jewels, the intervening space is covered with gold swastika fret overlaid with flying storks and bats, sprays of flowers and scrolled clouds. The lower border and sleeves are encircled with a striped pattern culminating in waves on which symbolical objects are floating. The collar and sleeves have bands of dragon designs on a fretted ground. Lined with light blue silk damask. Place of Origin China (made) Date 1736-95 (made) Artist/maker Unknown Materials and Techniques Silk tapestry (kesi) with painted details, lined with silk damask Dimensions Length: 140.97 cm, Width: 172.72 cm of one side at bottom Object history note Purchased. Registered File number 31783/1901. Note on register: Imperial robe of woven brocade (kesi) of the Qianlong period (1736-95), of unusually close design and finished execution, although in some places the bird and flowers are lightly touched with the brush. Covered with medallions containing five-clawed dragons enveloped by flames and clouds, in the intervals of a ground of gold swastika fret overlaid with flying storks and bats and occasional sprays of peony, chrysanthemum and other flowers which is interrupted by brightly variegated scrolls of clouds. The skirt has the usual striped border culminating in rolling waves and spread with floral sprays. The collar and sleeves have bands of the same dragon designs on fretted ground woven upon a smaller scale. Descriptive line Imperial robe, silk tapestry (kesi) with painted details, China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-95) Materials Silk (textile) Techniques Tapestry; Painted; Lining; Damask weaving Subjects depicted Emblems (symbols); Flowers; Swastikas; Bats (animals); Frets (patterns); Stork (bird); Cloud scrolls; Dragons Categories Clothing; Textiles Collection East Asia Collection