AN OVERGARMENT WITH EIGHT CRANE MEDALLIONS

Description:

China, fabric 19th c.
L. 138 cm, B. 155 cm
Slit tapestry (kesi), plain weave, silk (nearly black navy-blue, light blue for contours), gold thread in two tones (silk core: orange-red); silver thread (silk core: gray-white). Outer fabric completely backed with a modern iron-on interlining made of synthetic fibers (dark grey). In several part the outer fabric is detaching in bubbles from the backing, also at the slits in the pattern. Lining fabric: Fine silk rib (light blue), plain weave. Three gold-plated metal buttons with fabric loops. Sleeve, neck and hem trim: Complex silk fabric (gray-brown) with additional pattern wefts: silk (graduated shades of blue, white), brownish metal threads. Pattern: bats, flowers, Shou medallions on a background of connected swastikas. Edging and button loops: silk woven with gold threads. The robe is open at the front, has wide sleeves and slits at the sides. The distribution of the medallions corresponds to an official robe. The stylized cranes in the medallions are surrounded by a cloud frame and each holding a lingzhi mushroom in their beak.
North German private collection, acquired before 2007 - Traces of wear, minor damage and repaired under the arms, backing partially detached