This semi-formal unofficial robe can be associated with the private court of the Dowager Empress, Cixi (1835-1908). Whether made to be worn by Cixi herself or by one of her many ladies in waiting, it reflects the refinements of a centuries-old imperial tradition where clothing and a rich variety of accoutrement were regarded as absolutely necessary to maintain the proper hierarchical order in society. A similar robe, also with flowers and butterflies on a turquoise-green kesi ground, is in The Minneapolis Institute of Art, illustrated in Imperial Silks, Ch'ing Dynasty Textiles in The Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, 2000, pp. 484-85, no. 199.
Post Lot Text
A TURQUOISE KESI DOWAGER EMPRESS-STYLE INFORMAL ROBE CHINA, QING DYNASTY, LATE 19TH CENTURY
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CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, FIN DU XIXEME SIECLEROBE INFORMELLE EN KESI A FOND TURQUOISE DANS LE STYLE DE L'IMPERATRICE DOUAIRIEREEstimate: EUR 4,000 - 6,000
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The robe is in good overall condition with the blue partly faded to some parts of the robe. There are a few old brown stains to one sleeve and to the back of one shoulder. The robe has some light wear and tiny holes due to age and use and particularly to the front side to the lower black border and also to the collar's border.
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Lot 352Sale 20379
CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, FIN DU XIXEME SIECLEROBE INFORMELLE EN KESI A FOND TURQUOISE DANS LE STYLE DE L'IMPERATRICE DOUAIRIEREEstimate: EUR 4,000 - 6,000
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