Important Antique Chinese Silk Dragon Robe No Reserv (03/26/2010)...

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Important Antique Chinese Silk Dragon Robe No Reserve

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Important Antique Chinese Silk Dragon Robe No Reserve

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Sold Date: 03/26/2010
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

Description
Welcome to my auctions.
I hope to find interesting items for you to bid on and I want your auction experience to be a good one. I try to take very good photos and I encourage you to look closely at these so you may not only see if this item is of interest to you, but also to see what is the condition of the item for sale after all "a picture is worth a thousand words". I will also best try to describe the condition, which will include any issues with an item.
Please ask questions early if you need more infomation to make up your mind.
This auction presents an : Antique five claw dragon silk embroidered Robe. This is a fabulous robe in good condition except t are some breaks in the gold embroiderey please take a very close look at the many photos I posted. The last photo is of a dragon on the inside of the robe. The end of sleeves are complete and attached but loosely just need to be fully tacked back on. No Reserve.
Following is a great article on Chinese Robes in the Antiques and the Arts magazine:
The Symbolism in Chinese Robes May 1st, 2001

Bruce Museum Explores

GREENWICH, CONN. - The Bruce Museum of Arts and Sciences presents "Golden Dragon, Flaming Pearl: Symbolism in Chinese Robes of the Qing Dynasty," an exhibition featuring Chinese robes from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century, from May 5 through July 8. The exhibition includes an Imperial robe, three skirts, a jacket and accessories such as hats, shoes and pouches, all drawn from the Bruce Museum collection. The exhibition, on view in the Bantle Lecture Gallery, is underwritten by Davidde and Ron Strackbein.

In 1644 a rugged group of nomadic mounted warriors from Manchuria traversed the Great Wall of China and invaded Beijing. Conquering the Chinese Imperial rulers of the Ming Dynasty, the Manchus declared their ascendancy to the fabled Dragon Throne. They named their new dynastic period Qing, meaning pure, and successfully imposed their foreign leadership on China until 1911.

Ethnically and culturally different from the refined Chinese, the Manchus brought a flamboyant and militaristic vitality to the Qing Dynasty. The Manchus were related to both the Tartars and the Mongols, ethnic groups from the Northern Eurasian Steppes region, both had played dominant roles in earlier Chinese history. They were determined to maintain their extravagant identity beyond language and custom. Their national dress became the most visual form of distinction and remains one of the hallmarks of Qing decorative art.

A highlight of the exhibition is a silk yellow-ground Imperial dragon's robe embroidered with the 12 symbols of Imperial authority dispersed among cloud bands and writhing gold dragons. Chinese Emperors had worn the 12 symbols since the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), and initially the early Manchu rulers shunned their use because of the association with Chinese traditions. However, the symbols reappeared by the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Eighteenth Century. The five-clawed dragon, often splendidly worked in gold thread, was reserved for Imperial use. The 12 symbols of Imperial authority were also originally reserved for use by the Emperor.

The origin of these symbols is unclear but they are associated with cycles of the moon and seasonal events such as the solstice and equinox. Motifs from nature, such as birds, insects, other animals and flowering shrubs, were colorfully interspersed with cloud bands and frothy waves of water to achieve stunning visual effects.

The shape and structure of Manchu garments link back to nomadic traditions of horsemanship and mounted warrior societies w occupations created specialized needs for outdoor functional clothing. The short vented coats, flared cuffs and trousers, and paired aprons allowed for freedom of movement and guarded against the weather elements.

The Manchu sumptuary laws strictly prescribed administrative and military organizations' distinction of title, rank and status within the Imperial court...