Finely woven with a gold front-facing five-clawed dragon with its body coiled around a 'flaming pearl' as it leaps ruyi-shaped clouds interspersed with Eight Buddhist Emblems, above billowing waves. Above the dragons head is a three-legged cockerel in a red disk, symbolizing the Sun, ranked highest one of the twelve symbols of the Emperor authority. All woven in fine gold and multi-colored threads on a black silk ground. Framed, 11 1/4" dia (roundel).

The Twelve Symbols of Sovereignty representing Chinese imperial authority appeared on the five-clawed dragon robes of the emperor since the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046–771 BC). The Sun symbol is always decorated on the left shoulder of the Emperor’s formal robe.

Six Symbols of the Upper Robe
• The sun with the three-legged crow represents absolute sovereignty of the Emperor.
• The three stars symbolize happiness, prosperity, and longevity.
• The sacred mountains symbolize stability and tranquility.
• The dragon symbolizes adaptability and strength
• The pheasant is the symbol of peace and refinement

Six Symbols of the Lower Robe
• The two cups with a tiger and a monkey, symbolize faithfulness and respect
• The spray of leaf symbolizes purity.
• The fire symbolizes brightness.
• The grains symbolize wealth
• The axe symbolizes courage.
• The figure of “Fu” symbolizes the distinction between right and wrong

Provenance: The Coleman Collection of Asian Art, Columbus, Ohio.