Page 87 - Bonhams FINE CHINESE ART London November 2 2021

Fine Imperial and Court Textiles

Curated by

Linda Wrigglesworth

Lots 267 - 293

The specially curated magical play of Part Two of the Fine A third robe (Lot 282), dating to the early 19th century,
Imperial and Court Textiles offers collectors and other also meant to be worn by a Prince, is impeccably
connoisseurs the opportunity to explore and appreciate embroidered on both the inner and outer sides with blue
the wonderful breadth and depth of silk designs and dragons, so fine and detailed with a myriad shades of
dragon patterns, brocades and embroideries, dating blue, that they really look like they were painted, rather
from the 14th through to the 19th century. There are than embroidered. A delightful square cover for a box
some exceptional early pieces commissioned for religious dated to the Yuan dynasty (Lot 266), embroidered with a
purposes and a group of outstanding robes, dating from twinned deer and the Wheel of Dharma displays the same
as early as the Kangxi period and onwards – all imbued subtleness and delicacy typically reserved to silks dating
with powerful symbolism concealed behind striking from the 11th through to the 14th century.
colours and elaborate stitching techniques.
We are also looking at further lovely quality purses
I love the rich chestnut-ground chubha made of Kangxi (Lots 276 and 277) and unusual garments, like a rare late
brocade silk, a wonderful adaptation of a rare Princess’ 18th century surcoat for a Manchu noblewoman
formal robe into a Tibetan religious garment (Lot 270), so (Lot 279), embroidered with multiple butterflies fluttering
refined and animated. The two large writhing dragons look amidst double gourds symbolic of perennial happiness and
so bold and playful and remind us of the wonderfully free fertility. The bamboo jacket (Lot 283), is one of the finest
and ‘caricatured’ designs of the Wanli period. The Imperial I have seen, the Imperial kesi robe edgings (Lot 290), and
robe made for a Prince (Lot 275), dating to the Yongzheng finally the grand, unmade, burgundy silk dragon robe
period, is utterly rare for its designs of cranes carrying (Lot 291). I am delighted to offer these pieces in this section.
tallies in their beak and when our eyes meet the exquisite
dream-like quality of the elegant pavilions floating above a Everything seen is appreciated in the ‘eye of the beholder’
sea scape on this superb robe, we transcend into a world and rarity is understood.
of enlightenment and wonder.

Linda Wrigglesworth, September 2021