A Chinese informal robe with mandarin collar, decorated in couched silver threads with auspicious symbols of baskets with flowers, double eternal knots scattered fruit and flowers and a central floral roundel, above stylized waves and water, all on a dark blue silk ground (near black); lighter blue lining. Circa 1900 - 1920.
A section of old Chinese cloth (tapestry weave) taken from the shoulder section of a seventh rank official's formal court dragon robe, silk backing. 18-19th century. 27" x 29 1/2"
A beautiful Chinese silk rug (6' x 9'); the yellow field bearing a central medallion of a front-facing dragon with four side-facing dragons in each corner, all on a stylized linked flower head ground, the border with stylized lotus, peony and other flowers of good fortune.
This is an old hand woven carpet in great quality. The whitish areas shown in some photos are reflections of light on the silk. The five c ...click for details
A decorative fragment taken from the shoulders of Chinese dragon robe, a man's formal blue ground court wear with front facing dragons (five claws) in gold couched threads. 9 1/2" x 10 1/2"
A woven square taken from the front of a Chinese Emperor's robe with a front facing dragon in couched gold and a Constellation symbol.
Yellow (or apricot yellow) robes could only be worn by the Emperor or Empress. The color has faded and changed to this current tan color. Each Emperor's robe had twelve symbols of the Imperial Authority embroidered on it in specific places. We can see "The Constellation" which represents the handles of Ursa Major, the Big Dipper, just abov ...click for details
There are many fukusas made with Chinese themes from the late Edo period (1603-1868) to the mid Meiji period (1868-1912). This Chinese antique cloth was probably made into a fukusa, a gift cover, in Japan using Chinese embroidered cloth or used as a decorative purpose. The front fabric is wool and the liner is silk. The wool was a rare commodity in Japan during the time (Edo to early Meiji period) after every attempt to raise sheep all failed.
A dragon and phoenix together symbolize ...click for details
