A CHINESE SILK EMBROIDERED MIDNIGHT-BLUE 'DRAGON' ROUNDEL, BUZI
清咸豐 絲繡龍紋補子

A CHINESE SILK EMBROIDERED MIDNIGHT-BLUE 'DRAGON' ROUNDEL, BUZI

Qing Dynasty, Xianfeng Period

清咸豐 絲繡龍紋補子

The roundel embroidered with gilt-couched thread to depict a front-facing five-clawed dragon chasing a flaming pearl, flames emanating from behind the dragon as it hovers amidst swirling blue ruyi-shaped clouds and over cresting waves, framed by bats and four wan symbols around the edge, all on a midnight-blue ground,

28.1cm diameter

Provenance: London private collection

來源：倫敦私人收藏

Note: These roundels, known as buzi, were produced to adorn the surcoats of the imperial court during rituals and ceremonies. As per the Huangchao Liqi Tushi (Illustrations of Imperial Ritual Paraphernalia), the use of front-facing five-clawed dragons on surcoats was reserved solely for the imperial court, namely the emperor, empress, consorts and the crown prince. This particular roundel would likely have been intended for use by either a crown prince or a consort, rather than the emperor himself.

c.f. A comparable roundel, dated to the 18th century, was offered at Bonhams Knightsbridge, 11th September 2007, lot 216. Another comparable was offered at Christie's London, 15th May 2007, lot 36.

(Quantity:1)