A Princely Chestnut-Brown Gold-Thread Embroidered Gauze Dragon Robe, Jifu, 19th Century清 十九世纪 御制绛色纳纱绣彩云金龙纹吉服The rich reddish-brown 'jiang' (dark red or 'sauce') ground finely worked in couched gold thread with nine five-clawed dragons chasing flaming pearls amidst clouds interspersed with bats and precious objects, all above cresting waves rising from multi-coloured lishui stripes, 52.4 x 76 in — 133 x 193 cmProvenance:Sotheby's London, June 16, 2000来源：伦敦苏富比2000年6月16日Note:During the summer, heavy satin robes were switched out for lighter garments made of silk gauze to facilitate better ventilation. This rare and unique 'chestnut-brown' colour was reserved for the emperor's sons or first rank princes, and was also worn by the emperor himself when visiting his mother or residing in his private quarters.Compare with Qianlong period examples from Christie's Hong Kong, November 29, 2017, lot 3028; and Bonhams London, May 16, 2019, lot 197; and 19th century examples from Bonhams London, May 15, 2018, 671; and Thomaston Place Auction, Maine, February 26, 2022, lot 2456Estimate: $8,000—12,000