AN EMBROIDERED YELLOW 'DRAGON' BANNER, ZHENGHUANG QI QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the rich yellow satin embroidered with a ferocious five-clawed golden dragon in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' amid flames and cloud swirls, the two sides decorated with cloud swirls, and the third with bats swooping amid billowing cloud swirls   

A Private French Collection.

There are minor loose gold couched threads, loose silk floss and red stains near the base of the triangular flag (possibly paint). The silk is has turned light yellow over time. The overall condition is still quite good. The flag will need to be mounted to be displayed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Qing military troops were organized by colour under the Eight Banner system. The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed and were the foundations of the basic framework of the Qing military organization. Each of the Eight Banner had its own coloured flag to help coordinate attacks on the battlefield and to maintain order during military parades and ceremonies.

The present flag was associated with the 'Plain Yellow Banner' (Zhenghuang qi)  which was one of the three 'Upper Banners' directly responsible to the Emperor himself. The two other banners in this prestigeous group were the 'Bordered Yellow' and the 'Plain White'. The remaining five banners, called the 'Lower Banners', were responsible to the princes. Examples of 'Plain Yellow' dragon flags can be seen painted on the Imperial court painting Wanshou Dianjing Tu which depicts a military parade held in the capital to celebrate the sixtieth birthday of Qianlong's mother. This painting is in the Palace Museum, Beijing, and is illustrated in Qingdai Gongting shenghuo/ Life in the Palace during the Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 1985, pl. 385.

A green dragon flag, possibly associated with the 'Green Standard Army' (Luyingbing) is published in John E. Vollmer, Silks for Thrones and Altars, Paris, n.d., pl. 35; and a pair of white dragon flags, belonging to the 'Plain White' Banner, is illustrated on the official website of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Museum.