Robe impériale en soie brodée à fond jaune, Chine, dynastie Qing, XIXe siècle - Sotheby's

agrémentée de trois dragons sur la poitrine et deux sur les épaules à la poursuite de la perle enflammée et de caractères shou dans des médaillons parmi les nuages en forme de ruyi et les douze symboles impériaux, au-dessus de rochers et flots tumultueux. Estimation: 60,000 - 80,000 EUR

An imperial yellow-ground embroidered 'twelve-symbol' dragon robe, China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century

PROVENANCE: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8th October 2009, lot 1658.

NOTE: Robes decorated with the Twelve Symbols of Imperial Authority were reserved for the exclusive use of the emperor. They identify the emperor as the Ruler of the Universe as well as representing the virtues he should embody. In 1759, the Qianlong emperor instigated a comprehensive set of costume edicts promulgated in the Huangchao liqi tushi, the 'Illustrated Precedents for the Ritual Paraphernalia of the Imperial Court'. As a mark of the highest distinction, the use of the Twelve Symbols of Imperial Authority could only be conferred by the emperor to members of the Imperial family as noted in the Huangchao liqi tushi. Compare a similar robe sold in our New York rooms, 20th March 2002, lot 312.

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie. Paris | 12 juin 2013 - www.sothebys.com