A Chinese red ground dragon robe

Early 19th century

Featuring the Forbidden Stitch; with a hidden dragon panel to interior.

H: 55 1/2, W: 87 1/2 in. (H: 140.97, W: 22.25 cm.)

Provenance: Private collection, California.

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This dragon robe adheres to an orthodox and graceful form. There are nine exquisite dragons, illuminated with golden silk golden silk embroidery, interspersed throughout the robe. The dragons have ruyi-shaped noses, razor-sharp claws, slender whiskers and majestic manes. Their long, powerful bodies are emphasized with colorful stripes and scales. Chasing pearls, the dragons are vivid and energetic. The nine dragons are representative of absolute power, while the embroidered pair of double fish in the central region of the robe represent happiness and wellness. A pattern belt comprised of cliffs and oceanic waves on the lower end of the robe represents a stable reign.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, No. 64.68.

China Guardian, November 2004, Lot 449.

此袍圓領右衽，馬蹄袖，直身長袍式。前後及肩部共繡有九條金龍：在胸、背、兩袖端繡正龍各一，左右前後四開衩，交襟處行龍各一。龍紋面端鼻尖呈如意狀，鷹爪銳利，龍鬚細長而捲曲，龍發向後綜聚飛起，龍爪如輪，強勁有力，龍腹有長條形彩斑龍鱗鮮明飽和。龍身流暢修長，富有張力。九龍追逐火珠， 有翻江倒海、騰雲駕霧之勢，似乎隨時會躍出畫面騰空而去。紋樣繡工精妙，龍紋均用金絲繡制，光彩奪目，造型生動傳神。同時龍袍正面、背面觀之，均可見五條龍，寓意“九五之尊”。龍袍中間繡有雙魚紋，寓意幸福美滿。下幅裝飾海水江崖， 寓意“江山永固”。

參閱大都會博物館館藏，編號64.68；中國嘉德2004年11月秋拍-編號-449。

Thread loss, minor tearing, staining, some separation to seams.