A large 'dragon' altar frontal


Late Qing DynastyWoven on each side in gold and coloured thread with a writhing dragon in pursuit of the flaming pearl amongst clouds to the upper register, above twelve vertical 'dragon panels' and fringed lower border; together with a red silk ground apron skirt. The hanging 84cm (37in x 203.5cm (80.1/4in) excluding the fringed border.
|Provenance: According to family history, which is supported by family records illustrating the progress of British troops in Beijing at the time, this lot was acquired by a military attaché posted to Beijing at the time of the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. He was attached to the staff of Brigadier-General A.Gaselee, the commander of the British contingent assisting in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion on behalf of the Imperial Court, as one of the Eight Allied Powers.