An exceptional Ming kesi Imperial dragon roundel, finely woven with a front-facing Imperial dragon in pursuit of a flaming pearl above trident mountains and crusty waves, holding a red disk marked with the character wan between its horns, amid a ground of vaporous clouds, the silk worked in threads of tones of red, blue, green, yellow, beige, white and gold, 36cm diameter, 16th-17th century. Estimate £8000–10000. © Bloomsbury Auctions.

LONDON.- A fine circular silk embroidery of the type worn by a Ming dynasty Emperor which was discovered, by chance, during a free Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions valuation day, will join other important works of art in the 2nd December sale of ‘Chinese Ceramics and Asian Works of Art’ at the Donnington Priory saleroom in Berkshire. 

Known as a kesi , ‘cut silk’, the embroidery was worn exclusively by the immediate imperial family on the chest, heart or back of their robes. The present example is decorated with a front-facing five-clawed dragon, a symbol steeped in Chinese tradition and mythology. It signifies goodness, blessing and strength, and is shown in pursuit of a flaming pearl which represents, wealth, good luck and prosperity, while the background comprises clouds and mountains, two of the 12 symbols of Imperial sovereignty. 

From a Surrey home, it is expected to sell for £8,000-10,000 in December [Lot 50]. 

A 19th Century blue ‘clair-du-lune’ glaze monochrome vase is estimated at £200-300. Reserved exclusively for Imperial porcelains when it was first developed, the ‘clair-du-lune’ glaze was one of the most successful monochrome glazes in the history of Chinese ceramics [Lot 97]. Other Chinese works of art include a 19th century celadon jade carving of Liu Hai’s three-legged toad, which symbolises wealth and prosperity, estimated at £300-400 [Lot81] and a carved ivory puzzle ball, estimated at £400-600 [Lot 29]. 

Topping the Japanese pieces in the sale is an early Edo lacquer Tansu, traditionally used as a mobile storage cabinet, estimated at £700-1,000 [Lot 205]. 

All lots in the sale are available to view on our website www.dnfa.com. The auction will be held at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury auctions Donnington Priory saleroom in Berkshire on Monday 2nd December with viewing from Friday 29th November (9.00am-4.00pm). Online bidding with no additional fee will be available at www.dnfa.com. 

Highlights

An exceptional Ming kesi Imperial dragon roundel , finely woven with a front-facing Imperial dragon in pursuit of a flaming pearl above trident mountains and crusty waves, holding a red disk marked with the character wan between its horns, amid a ground of vaporous clouds, the silk worked in threads of tones of red, blue, green, yellow, beige, white and gold, 36cm diameter, 16th-17th century [Lot 50] £8,000-10,000 

A Chinese pale celadon jade carving of Liu Hai's three legged toad upon a leafy gourd vine, some darker inclusions, 7.6cm long, 19th century [Lot 81] £300-400 

A Chinese monochrome vase of tapered ovoid form with short neck and everted mouth, the body moulded with qilin and other mythical beasts, each perched on a rocky outcrop amid swirling waves, all beneath a key-fret band, the whole covered in a claire de lune glaze, height 28cm, 19th century [Lot 97] £200-300 

Two Indian miniature paintings, 19th century, Bikaner, 18th century Provenance: Private UK collection. [Lot 104] £200-300 

A Japanese Lacquer Tansu of rectilinear form resting on four bracket feet with a shaped apron and bearing a removable front revealing a single shelf within, the whole decorated in tones of gold hiramakie on the roiro ground with hanging wysteria, the sides mounted with simple bail handles and the front mounted with chased gilt copper fittings, dimensions 50cms by 37.5cms by 29cms, Early Edo and later [Lot 205] £700-1,000