Page 199 - Bonhams Asian Art May2016 UK

489

489 Property from Mr. and Mrs. C. Lefebvre Collection of Chinese Robes

A BEIGE SILK ‘CHRYSANTHEMUM’ LADY’S FESTIVE ROBE The current robe would have been worn during the so-called ‘Double
19th century Nine’ festival, also known as the ‘chrysanthemum’ festival because of
The beige silk finely and delicately embroidered in three-blue, beige the homophony between the two words. This is a festival that dates
and pink silk threads with roundels of meandering chrysanthemum back to at least the East Han period. According to the I Ching, nine is
interlocking with constellation-clouds, all above a band of tumultuous a yang number; therefore, the ninth day of the ninth month is a date
and foaming waves interspersed with wan symbols, cash, flaming too rich in yang and is potentially dangerous. To ward off the danger,
pearls and other auspicious motifs, the hems with an embroidered it is customary to carry out rituals such as climbing a high mountain or
chrysanthemum border and a woven ‘wan’ band. drinking chrysanthemum liquor.
135cm (53 1/8in) long
Another example of a festive robe embroidered with chrysanthemums
£2,500 - 3,500 is illustrated by Ming Wilson, Imperial Chinese Robes from the
CNY23,000 - 32,000 Forbidden City, London: 2010, fig. 14.
HK$27,000 - 38,000

ASIAN ART | 197