19th C. Chinese Wool Panels & Dragon Silk Embroidery (Auction 2026-05-15, Lot 135)

Sold

East Asia, China, late Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A composite textile – possibly a Buddhist altar hanging, temple banner, or ritual decoration – comprising two wool pile-woven panels in crimson, blue, yellow, and ivory, each decorated with symmetrical Buddhist bumpa (treasure vase) motifs and auspicious manji symbols, joined at the center by a square Chinese silk brocade panel woven with a frontal dragon in metallic gold and blue tones. Consistent with Qing dynasty Buddhist practice, the fragments appear to have been salvaged and assembled into a devotional object for temple or altar use. Presented framed under glass and ready to display. Size of frame: 41.5″ L x 13.5″ W (105.4 cm x 34.3 cm); textile: 32″ L x 5″ W (81.3 cm x 12.7 cm)

Provenance: private el Paso, Texas collection, USA, by inheritance, acquired before 1996

Professionally mounted in a wood frame under glass and ready to display. Not examined outside of frame. Fraying and losses to embroidery silk fibers on dragon. Fading and some age related staining and discoloration, but overall well preserved. Some scuffs and nicks to wood frame.