Beschreibung:

Lot details Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價 Superbly worked in gauze with couched gold thread and satin stitch on the front and back with nine five-clawed dragons and shou medallions, amidst dense stylized clouds interspersed with bats confronting double peaches, auspicious characters and the twelve imperial symbols above the terrestrial diagram with lishui stripe at the hem, all picked out in shades of blue, green, purple, red, and ochre, and reserved on an Imperial yellow ground. With a black-ground dragon border at the collar, cuffs and mid-sleeves, and a second narrow band of stylized wan diapered design on black ground. The lack of a front and back vent and the inclusion of sleeve extensions identify this as a woman's robe. Provenance: The Property of a Gentleman. Christie’s New York, 21-22 September 1995, lot 517. An important American collection of Chinese robes, acquired from the above. To the side, a Christie’s label, ’22 Sep 95 Sale 8220 Lot 517.’ Note that according to Christies “it appears that the Empress Dowager used all Twelve Symbols” (on her robes) “when she ruled during the minority of her son” (see the corresponding auction catalog entry from 1995). Condition: The present robe is likely the finest example of an Imperial twelve-symbol robe that exists. It is exceptionally well-preserved and remains in superb condition overall. There are only minimal signs of wear, with very few loose threads present. There are no stains, spots, or soiling, and the robe has not suffered any material loss whatsoever. The colors of the robe are remarkably vibrant and sharp. It is important to note that this particular robe has never been exposed to sunlight or displayed. It may have been worn on one or two occasions, but certainly not more frequently. In general, the discovery of a robe in such pristine condition is an exceptionally rare occurrence. Dimensions: Length 129 cm, Width 183 cm (across sleeves) Please click here to read the full description Expert’s note: Very few robes have been attributed to Empress Dowager Cixi, and notably, none of them have been found in gauze fabric, let alone in mint condition. The remarkable absence of any signs of wear on this robe is a testament to its impeccable storage and care over the past 150 years. Unlike most Qing Dynasty robes discovered today, which have not been preserved across multiple generations in such a meticulous manner, this robe's pristine state suggests that the person who originally brought it from China to the West was fully aware of its historical significance. Moreover, it is likely that this individual acquired knowledge of the robe's importance from a trusted and credible source. Considering the tumultuous period of the Boxer Rebellion in 1906 when the robe probably left the Forbidden City in Beijing, reliable sources were rare. Therefore, it seems probable that the robe was initially obtained either from someone in close proximity to the Empress Dowager or directly from Cixi herself. In either case, this person would have imparted the robe's exceptional significance to the subsequent owner, ensuring the passage of this valuable information from one generation to the next. As a result, the present robe has consistently been safeguarded under a stringent and comprehensive regime throughout its whole journey, which elucidates its enduring pristine condition until the present day. The continued responsibility and preservation of a robe of this importance, thus, becomes an important duty for its future keepers. Lot Essay: Imperial clothes were designed to indicate rank and status, becoming so distinct that the wearer’s position in court could be ascertained at a glance. Yellow was considered to be the most auspicious shade, and was reserved for the royal family. Minor princes or noblemen were permitted to wear blue (the Qing dynasty’s official color) or brown, while blue-black fabric indicated the wearer was a court official. Emperor’s robes we