Lot 82. An embroidered rust-coloured gauze summer court robe, jifu, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century. Estimate EUR 6,000 - EUR 8,000 (USD 6,356 - USD 8,475). © Christie’s Images Limited 2016.
La robe de couleur brique pour une duchesse imperiale est brodée en fils d'or et polychromes sur chaque face d'un grand dragon doréà cinq griffes au centre, le corps enroulé autour d'une perle sacrée surplombant deux autres dragons au-dessus de rochers émergeant des flots tumultueux. Le fond est rehaussé de divers objets auspicieux tels que des chauves-souris ou des têtes de ruyi et les manches sont ornées du caractère 'xi' (bonheur) et de svastikas. Hauteur : 146.5 cm. (57 ¾ in.)
Provenance: Private French collection, acquired by Louis Bourret (1830-1884) in Shanghai in 1864 and thence by descent.
Louis Bourret (1830-1884).
Note: This jifu, a public costume for the Manchu nobility, is possibly a wedding garment for a duchess as we have a robe for a lady here. The imagery corresponds to that of the rank of an imperial duke and the maroon colour is usually used for those involved with the military. The assemblage of symbols such as the ‘xi’ (double happiness), bats, and cranes suggests that this can be a jifu used for a marriage. See another example with the shuangxi previously sold at Christie’s, New York, 19 March 2008, lot 7.
Christie's. Art d'Asie, 14 December 2016, Paris