Qing dynasty (1644-1912), late 18th or 19th century, ink and pigments on silk, a very large and finely painted portrait of a court noble dressed in a formal winter court robe with collar bearing a large golden dragon, the sleeves and lower skirt with dragon border, black fur trim to edges, he wears a court hat and is adorned with coral and jade necklaces, he sits on a carved lacquer chair with sword pommel pattern and decorated with incised metal hardware, a regal tiger skin is draped on the chair which rests on elaborately patterned oriental carpet, with gold silk brocade border, framed without glass.


Frame dimensions 69 1/4 x 40 3/4 x 2 in.

From the Collection of the late Mr. & Mrs. Paul and Betty Mushak, Durham, North Carolina

The size, fine detail of painting, and rich accessories as well as dragon embroidered court robe make this ancestor portrait a prized work of art.

For a painting of a noble in a similar court robe see the Denver Art Museum 2009.751.

Overall good estate condition; some scattered horizontal and vertical creases that appear to be repaired and stable; some scattered light wear with minor losses to pigments; an area of discoloration at upper right corner; overall even toning to silk.

$1,000 - 2,000