Tibetan garment made from a significant yellow-ground dragon robe

Description:

Tibet, Chinese textile, Yongzheng to early Qianlong period, 18th century
L. 140 cm, B. 142 cm
Silk satin (yellow, dark blue) with additional pattern weft: silk (multi colored), gold thread. Spherical bronze buttons. Lining: light-colored silk. For this Tibetan robe, the original cut of an imperial yellow dragon robe was modified, so that today the striped sleeve extensions are missing and the horse-hoof cuffs are sewn on directly. The woven patterns feature eight slender, five-clawed dragons in gold thread, surrounded by flames amid elegant clouds. In the lower section, the diagonal lines are wavy; above them, the spiraling waves with clouds, from which the four rocks rise, are characteristic of the early 18th century. Also typical of robes from this period are the dark blue neck trim, the corresponding horse-hoof cuffs, and the few auspicious ornaments (ruyi, scroll, rhinoceros horn, Lü Dongbin’s sword) floating within the waves. In addition to the imperial yellow color of the background, the fact that the four lower dragons have each grasped a flaming pearl further suggests that the robe belonged to a member of the highest ranks of the imperial family.
From an old private collection in Berlin - Cf. An extremely similar robe, dated to the Yongzeng era, Huang, Nengfu; Chen, Juanjuan: *Chinese Imperial Robes*, Beijing 206, Chinese, pp. 200-203, Cat. 212
- Clear signs of age and wear, somewhat faded and soiled, slightly rubbed, partially damaged