A graphically beautiful Li dragon cover (long bei), late Ming/early Qing period (18th/19th century). Size: 73'' x 45.75'' (185 x 116 cm). The tapestry emphasizes the gentle, mythical ch'ilin, believed to be the precursor to the unicorn, with the flaming pearl above surrounded by two graceful phoenixes--all flanked by a pair of strong vibrant dragons flying within an imagined sky. Below the dragons are two fish cradled by waves. Homage is paid to all with two lit candles by the heads of the fish. The running wan, symbol of good fortune, is in an inner frame to the outer border where a pair of lions appears on either side of a large coin, emblematic of prosperity, amidst the foliage. Stylized and somewhat abstract flowers and rows of plain stripes above and below are the perfect frames for the texture and movement at center. The Li dragon cover, long bei, is one of the most fascinating textiles in the Asian world. Neither tribal nor traditional, neither all Li, a tribal group on Hainan Island, south China, nor all Han Chinese, it appears a hybrid, underscoring the theory that during the late Ming or early Qing period the palace in Beijing sent prototype drawings with royal iconography to Hainan and demanded that the Li copy them in silk embroidery on their fine quality cotton to send as mostly three-panel tapestries to the Court as tribute. It is held that the Li secretly made dragon covers for themselves and used them clandestinely during their most important ceremonies and rituals. Li long bei are rare. Production by the Li for themselves would have been extremely limited by cost, the need for secrecy and fear of punishment by government officials were they to be found out. Of the few that were kept, at least some would have succumbed to the ravages of time, insects and climate. Then, beginning with the Cultural Revolution in 1966, the Red Guard raided the island’s cities and villages, and seized and destroyed all evidence of art and culture including any long bei they found. References: Cai, Long Bei; Vichai Chinalai and Lee J. Chinalai, “Long Bei, Ceremonial Dragon Covers of the Li of Hainan”, HALI; Hans Steubel, Die Li Stämme der Insel Hainan, Xueping, Traditional Culture of Li Ethnic Group. Provenance: Lee and Vichai Chinalai collection.