Very Rare Blue 'Twelve Symbol' Silk Dragon Robe
An exceptional imperial gold-and-silver-embroidered 'Twelve Symbol' dragon robe, finely embroidered with nine five-clawed dragons, one on the inner flap, surrounded by swirling clouds, interspersed with bats carrying auspicious objects, with stylized shou characters and the 'Twelve Symbols of Imperial Authority', the sun, moon, mountains and constellation around the neck, the fu symbol, ax, small dragon and pheasant around the chest and back, and the sacrificial vessels, water weeds, flames and grains just below the waist, all enclosed by lishui, cloud and wave borders with auspicious objects and terrestrial diagrams at the hem and sleeves, the collar band and cuffs decorated with dragons, bats and clouds.
Important Private Collection.
Dimension: 53 1/8" L x 80 3/4" W (135 x 205cm).