Fantastic Antique Chinese Silk Brocade Vest Dragons Phoenixes Qing Period

Woven in the age of the third Qing Emperor Yongzheng (1722-35), this delicately coloured precious silk brocade is embellished by three parallel and offset rows of children holding a cornucopia of auspicious symbols. In the first horizontal row, the child is holding in one hand a closed lotus flower, symbol of honesty, goodness, beauty and purity, and in the other a stick which a pair of coins, an element belonging to the group of Eight Precious Things. The following row depicts the child holding on one hand the Paintings, one of the four symbols of literature and science, and a peach blossom on the other, a flower associated with Spring and rejuvenation. In between this main pattern we see an alternation of the bat motif (symbol of good luck), the plum blossom (symbolising the faithful, the resolute and the holy) and the butterfly (symbol of love, freedom, romance and beauty). The subtle polychromy of soft tones of green and peach is punctuated with touches of royal Chinese blue...

Antique Chinese brocade dragon panel from Imperial Qing Dynasty circa 19th century, beautifully presented with a linen mat and in a silvered wo...

Pillar rug is a specific Chinese textile art found in Tibetan Buddhist Temples with most survived exampled dated to Qing dynasty (1644 to 1912). Mostly woven in fine wool, these rugs...

A silk collar from China dated to Qing Dynasty circa 19th century. Known as Yunjian (Cloud Shoulder or Cloud Collar), this multi-lobed textile piece was a detachable collar worn arou...

A visually stunning Japanese embroidery tapestry circa 1890s-1900s late Meiji period, presented with a linen matt with gold trim in a gilt wood frame. The design showcases a flying p...

A silk collar from China dated to late Qing Dynasty circa 19th century. Known as Yunjian (Cloud Shoulder or Cloud Collar), this two-tiered embroidery textile piece was a detachable c...

An embroidered silk collar from China dated to late Qing Dynasty circa 19th century. Known as Yunjian (Cloud Shoulder or Cloud Collar), this multi-lobed t...

A silk collar from China dated to late Qing Dynasty circa 19th century. Known as Yunjian (Cloud Shoulder or Cloud Collar), this multi-lobed textile piece was a detachable collar worn around the shoulders as part of the traditional Chinese garment accessory. With its origin dated back to the Han Dynasty and being used until the end of Qing Dynasty, the form evolves with time, but much of the ornamentation and fundamental symbolism remains the same. This striking example features a two-tiered design with seven lobes on each circle, all of which are variations of the shape of auspicious "ruyi", which represents the head of Lingzhi mushroom, a symbol of longevity. The inner lobes feature elaborate embroidery floral design with long and short satin stitches. Notably, one panel has a double gourd design, the symbol of fortune. The outer lobes show a simpler but bolder vision with the outlines of the designs lineated with metallic threads buddled in chain stitches. Small jade beads were used to link the piece together and most of them still remain. The piece as a whole has a very pleasant lilac purple color, delicate with the jade beads. In Qing Dynasty, the silk collar with high quality was worn by noble or aristocratic women. The red color and the lotus boy symbol indicate that it was most likely part of the fashion accouterment worn during wedding ceremony. The collar is beautifully float mounted within a double conforming mat in a giltwood frame and wood backing. A stunningly presented period piece with story to tell. Reference: For a collection of Chinese embroidered collars...

An embroidered silk collar from China dated to late Qing Dynasty circa 19th century. Known as Yunjian (Cloud Shoulder or Cloud Collar). This striking example features a two-tiered design with eleven inner and outer lobes radiating in a circular fashion. The red inner lobes feature floral embroidery design in satin stitches, the border with twisted chain stitches. The outer lobes are in the shape of auspicious "ruyi", which represents the head of Lingzhi mushroom, a symbol of longevity. Each showcases fine needlework of butterfly with spread wings and various floral motif. A small ball clasp remains on the front. This textile art is beautifully presented in a giltwood frame floating within a double mat of conforming shape. Detachable collars such as this were worn around the shoulders as part of the traditional Chinese garment...

A silk collar from China dated to late Qing Dynasty circa 19th century. Known as Yunjian (Cloud Shoulder or Cloud Collar), this two-tiered, five-lobed textile piece was a detachable collar worn around the shoulders as part of the traditional Chinese garment...