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Lot Essay
This imperial mangpao (dragon robe), embroidered with floss silk worked in counted stitch and couched gold-wrapped threads on blue silk gauze, dates from the very end of the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (r. 1735-1795) or early in the reign of his son, the Jiaqing Emperor (r. 1796-1820). This summer robe is complete as designed and its execution reflects the highest quality workmanship. The small details such as the trails of clouds that mark the wavy lishui (standing water) border and the animated red bats that flit among the five-coloured clouds are particularly refined and confirm an imperial court commission.
Blue was the official colour of the Qing dynasty and appropriate for all ranks of nobles as well as lower-ranking members of the imperial clan. The size of the frontal dragons at the chest and back are larger in scale than the profile dragons on the lower skirts —a characteristic that favours an eighteenth-century date. Although the dragons on this robe are depicted with five claws and are related to the long dragons worn by the emperor and his immediate family, it is likely these were actually ranked as mang, usually depicted with only four claws. This finesse of name and image is typical of post mid-eighteenth century court attire. Without knowing the exact rank of its intended wearer, it is impossible to confirm the identification of this symbol.
By John E. Vollmer
Blue was the official colour of the Qing dynasty and appropriate for all ranks of nobles as well as lower-ranking members of the imperial clan. The size of the frontal dragons at the chest and back are larger in scale than the profile dragons on the lower skirts —a characteristic that favours an eighteenth-century date. Although the dragons on this robe are depicted with five claws and are related to the long dragons worn by the emperor and his immediate family, it is likely these were actually ranked as mang, usually depicted with only four claws. This finesse of name and image is typical of post mid-eighteenth century court attire. Without knowing the exact rank of its intended wearer, it is impossible to confirm the identification of this symbol.
By John E. Vollmer