THE SIMON CHANG COLLECTION – A rare Imperial Chinese bridal longpao dragon robe to be worn by an Imperial Princess or Noblewoman or at a bridal ceremony of the Qing dynasty, the robe finely and intricately woven in satin stitch in shades of blues, reds and olive greens, with metallic gold and silver threading on the front, back and inside front panels, showing nine five-clawed Imperial dragons pursuing flaming pearls interspersed with clusters of lingzhi-shaped clouds, bats and auspicious objects in pairs including the eight Buddhist emblems, all set on a red ground above the terrestrial diagram and waves also showing auspicious or precious objects amidst the waves, with ruyi-shaped styled clouds and a lishui stripe done in a kesi weave at the hem and the start of the sleeves, with dark blue-ground collar, sleeve bands and matixiu (horse hoof) shaped cuffs decorated with further complimentary dragons, clouds and symbols done in similar colored and gold threading, and with a gold edging, 19th century. According to the 1759 Illustrated Precedents of the Present Dynasty compiled by the Qianlong Emperor, red robes were reserved for certain Imperial princesses or noblewoman or could be worn at special events like wedding ceremonies.

Condition statement – sun faded on one side so the red silk ground appears apricot in color, fading to other elements on one side, original deep red color

seen on inside and on reverse side.

Literature and Examples – In The Presence Of The Dragon Throne Ch’ing Dynasty Costume in the Royal Ontario Museum by John E. Vollmer, Toronto 1977, pg 53, a similar robe in the Mactaggart Art Collection University of Alberta, accession number 2005.5.196 and 2005.5.198

See similar robes sold at Bukowskis Stockholm, 12 June 2026, lot 990 , and Sotheby’s 14 June 2024, lot 121

Measuring 72 inches W x 54 from nape to hem.