Qing dynasty (1644-1912), 19th century, blue ground silk gauze, finely embroidered in counted stitch with nine resplendent five clawed dragons worked in metallic gold thread, and interspersed with ruyi clouds, peony blossoms, bats, and eternal knots, all above a lower border of turbulent waves tossed with peonies, the collar and horseshoe cuffs embellished with dragons, the under skirt embroidered with another golden dragon chasing a flaming pearl, overall a spectacular example of the high standards achieved in silk embroidery during the Qing dynasty.

51 x 75 in.

Silk gauze robes were worn during the summer months. They were embroidered with the same decoration and motifs same as the silk satin robes worn by the imperial family during the colder seasons.
Similar to Chinese dragon robe in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession 11.3883.

Very good condition; some loose golden threads; gold buttons lost, frogs and collar hand sewn together instead.

$2,000 - 4,000