Page 36 - Bonhams FINE CHINESE ART London November 2 2021

Provenance: Jacqueline Simcox Ltd.,
London, 2007
An English private collection

來源：倫敦古董商Jacqueline Simcox Ltd.，
2007年
英國私人收藏

Finely woven in gold and multi-coloured
threads with elegant designs of a side-facing
five-clawed dragon, writhing amidst clouds
and a lantern decorated with a rabbit, the
present panel would have formed the front
right half of an Imperial robe which would have
been worn by the Emperor on the occasion of
the Lantern Festival celebrations.

The Lantern Festival was held over a period
of ten days centering on the 15th day after
the New Year Festival, which was the time of
the first full moon of the new year. It appears
to have been introduced during the Han
dynasty, probably in relation with the spread
of Buddhism in China. Emperor Ming of the
Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD) had heard
that Buddhist monks prayed to Buddhist
relics on the 15th day of first lunar month,
lighting lanterns to pay respect to the Buddha.
Taking a liking to the custom, he ordered
that lanterns be lit throughout the Imperial
palace and all the temples on the same
day. The custom of hanging lanterns quickly
became widespread among the population;
see G.J.Melton, Religious Celebrations: An
Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn
Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations,
Goleta, CA, 2011, pp.514–515.

A colourful scroll painting titled ‘Xianzong
Enjoying Pleasures’, in the History Museum,
Beijing, depicts the ruler at several moments
in time including his tour of the palace
surveying the elaborate festivities he ordered
for the Lantern Festival, which included
several rows of brilliantly-blazing lanterns lining
the archway leading up to the Imperial palace;
see J.Stuart, ‘Timely Images: Chinese Art and
Festival Display’, in Proceedings of the British
Academy, vol.167, 2009, pp. 295–348.

The Emperor, Imperial family and high-ranking
wealthy courtiers wore costumes woven or
embroidered with themed decoration for the
festive event. While the Ming dynasty official
colour was red, the Emperor wore yellow
for his official Court dress. Robes made to
224 be worn for the occasion were probably
A RARE YELLOW-GROUND SILK KESI ground above the terrestrial diagram rising restricted for use by the upper ranks at the
ROBE ‘DRAGON’ PANEL above rolling waves and ruyi clouds, mounted. Court of the Wanli Emperor, known for its
Wanli 122cm (48in) long x 61cm (24in) wide. demand for luxurious silks. Compare with
The panel finely woven with a lively side- a silk gauze embroidered panel from a
facing five-clawed horned dragon chasing £8,000 - 12,000 dragon robe made for the Lantern Festival,
a flaming pearl beneath an oval canopied CNY71,000 - 110,000 Wanli, depicting a side-facing dragon riding
lantern decorated with a rabbit and striding amidst clouds and lanterns, illustrated by
amidst wispy ruyi clouds interspersed with 明萬曆 黃地緙絲龍紋袍料 J.Vollmer and J.Simcox, Emblems of Empire,
the Auspicious Emblems, all on a rich yellow- Edmonton, AB, 2009, pp.50-51.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
34 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.