A rare and important large silk and metal-thread documentary carpet depicting the Summer Palace

Estimated Value:

4.000 € - 6.000 €

Result:

incl. Premium and VAT

Description:

China, late Qing Dynasty
360 x 277 cm
Finely woven silk with rich gold and silver-thread brocade on an imperial yellow ground. Original fringed edges. Exceptionally detailed with a topographical map of the Imperial Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) in Beijing, centering on the Longevity Hill (Wan Shou Shan) identified by an inscribed stele, overlooking the Kunming Lake populated by a fleet of imperial pagoda-roofed and dragon boats, all among pavilions, palace halls, and covered walkways. The wide main border is decorated with a continuous ribbon pattern, interspersed with numerous symbols of good fortune and emblems. The top of the carpet is woven with a four-character inscription: Tai miao bei yong (太廟備用 - "Reserved for use in the Ancestral Temple").
Old German private collection - With original historic metal customs seal from the British customs authority (HM Customs and Excise) - In good condition for its age , with minimal signs of wear to the pile in places, slight darkening of the metal threads, the fringe bands partially shortened and lost
Cf. a stylistically and textually identical magnificent example of the same imperial type (360.7 x 274.3 cm), sold at Christie’s New York, 27 March 2026, Lot 1147, for USD 38,100; And a carpet with identical palace architecture and inscription, but in a worn condition (370 x 284.5 cm), sold at Christie’s New York, 24 March 2023, Lot 1204, for USD 13,860

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