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Imperial Chair Cover with Design of Five-Clawed Dragons and Bats amidst Peony Scrolls and Border with the Eight Daoist Emblems and Multicolored Clouds

Culture
Chinese
Date
mid- to late 18th century
made in
China, Asia
Collection
Asian Art
Current Location
Not on view
Dimensions
51 1/4 × 51 3/4 in. (130.2 × 131.4 cm)
Credit Line
Museum Purchase
Rights
Public Domain
Object Number
33:1917
NOTES
This tapestry-woven textile features a front-facing five-clawed dragon enclosing a flaming pearl symbolic of spiritual energy, wisdom, prosperity, and power. Above the dragon, a downward-facing bat carries a loop suspending two dark blue swastikas symbolizing “myriad” or “10,000.” The bright yellow silk ground indicates that it was made for the exclusive use of the emperor and his immediate family.

Pale-colored blossoms with scrolling foliage are scattered around the central field. Four other bats in flight, bringing the total of five, signify the Five Blessings (wu fu), namely longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and peaceful death in old age. Each corner of the central field is anchored by a stylized dragon in dark blue. A band of gold thread separates the field from the outer border, which contains auspicious clouds, Daoist emblems, and symbols of good fortune.

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