A RARE IMPERIAL YELLOW EMPRESS' KESI SEMI-FORMAL ROBE (JIFU) QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

finely woven with nine gold dragons, one hidden by the over-flap, surrounded by wispy clouds, peach boughs, floral sprigs, nandina berries and phoenix, all above terrestrial diagrams rising from rolling waves incorporating precious objects, above an undulating lishui stripe at the sleeves and hem, the midnight blue collar band, sleeve bands and cuffs, woven with gold dragons, bats, clouds, waves and precious objects, the sleeve extension of yellow ribbed silk

Sotheby's New York, 27th March 1996, lot 124.

There is general wear consistent with use with some minor staining. There is wear to the couching around the collar band and a short section of the collar band is loose. There is some separation to the dragons on the collar, chest, and shoulders. There is also wear to the central fold line along the shoulders and arms, and minor fraying to the top of the side slits.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The yellow ground and presence of phoenix would indicate that the present robe was made for an empress. For an illustration of an imperial consort's dragon robe see Gary Dickinson and Linda Wrigglesworth, Imperial Wardrobe, Berkeley, 2000, pl. 12. An 18th century embroidered version of an imperial consort's dragon robe is illustrated in John E. Vollmer, Ruling From the Dragon Throne, Costume of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Berkeley, 2002, fig. 4.2; while an emperor's kesi version from the mid to late 18th century is illustrated in Robert D. Jackson, Imperial Silks: Ch'ing Dynasty Textiles in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, vol. I, Minneapolis, 2000, p. 689. A Qianlong period 'Twelve-Symbol' kesi robe was sold in our Hong Kong rooms 8th October 2010, lot 2626.