The early 16th century large Ming dynasty kesi badge is finely woven to depict a front facing dragon, with its front legs raised and claws clutching a 'flaming pearl' centered between its horns, the hind legs each grasping trident mountains emerging from cresting waves. Each cloud, mountain and band of radiance is marked with the characters Wan and Shou. The roundel is worked in threads of tones of red, blue, green, yellow, beige, white and gold. Along with two smaller 19th century forbidden-stitch roundels and one 19th century silk panel, largest 15 3/4" dia. Stains, wears and marks on both sides of the roundel. Provenance: Private textile collection of a lady, Greenwich CT.