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A circular silk badge of the type worn by a Ming dynasty emperor sold for £16,120 ($26,429). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.

Dreweatts & Bloomsbury auctions Ming embroidery for £16,120

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
A circular silk badge of the type worn by a Ming dynasty emperor sold for £16,120 ($26,429). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.
A circular silk badge of the type worn by a Ming dynasty emperor sold for £16,120 ($26,429). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.

NEWBURY, U.K. – A circular silk badge of the type worn by a Ming dynasty emperor, discovered by chance during a free valuation day at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions, sold for £16,120 ($26,429) on Dec. 2.

Known as a kesi, or “cut silk,” the embroidery was among items taken to a valuation day at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions where it was spotted by specialist Benedetta Mottino. Its owner had no idea of its significance and was delighted to be told of its estimate £8,000–£10,000.

From the late 16th or early 17th century, the badge is worked in peacock feather filament and threads of red, blue, green, yellow, beige, white and gold. It would have decorated the front and back of a surcoat belonging to a Ming emperor. A front-facing five-clawed dragon symbolizes blessing and strength and is associated with the Son of Heaven, an alternative name for the emperor. The dragon is in pursuit of the flaming pearl of truth, denoting the wearer’s wish to attain inner wisdom. Clouds and mountains, symbols of Imperial sovereignty, further embellish the composition. The Chinese character “wan,” meaning eternity, and the homophone meaning longevity, appears at the top of both sides of the badge and suggests that it may have been made to commemorate the emperor’s birthday.

The kesi (lot 50) came from a Surrey home and was purchased by a Chinese collector from Hong Kong.

“Having had a particularly successful sale during the week of Asian Art in London, we are delighted with the results achieved in our sale in Newbury yesterday, in which more affordable objects were offered,” said Mottino.

Elsewhere in the sale a private collection of 94 fine netsukes sold for a total of £50,220 ($82,297). Mostly in ivory they portrayed a variety of Japanese mythical figures and animals and are types that are scare and widely sought by collectors.

A 19th century ivory netsuke of Daikoku, one of Japan’s Seven Gods of Fortune associated with commerce and prosperity, was depicted carrying a mallet, also known as a magic money mallet, and large sack while balancing atop a large rice bale. It sold for £1,736 ($2,844) (lot 183).

Created in 1925, a finely painted portrait of Mao Tse-Tung was a gift from the Revolutionary Committee of Jingdezhen Art and Porcelain Factory to the Revolutionary Committee of Guangzhou Seafood Production Co. The highly collectable item (Lot 75) sold for £6,820 ($11,176).

A 19th century famille rose porcelain screen amazed bidders by selling for £22,320 ($36,580), more than 100 times its estimate. The freestanding screen (lot 99) was decorated ornately with figures engaging in various leisurely pursuits amid a river scene.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

A circular silk badge of the type worn by a Ming dynasty emperor sold for £16,120 ($26,429). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.
A circular silk badge of the type worn by a Ming dynasty emperor sold for £16,120 ($26,429). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.
Chinese calligraphy scroll, extract from the ‘Lantingji Xu’ (Poem of the Orchid Pavilion), 257 cm high. Price realized: £2,976 ($4,891). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.
Chinese calligraphy scroll, extract from the ‘Lantingji Xu’ (Poem of the Orchid Pavilion), 257 cm high. Price realized: £2,976 ($4,891). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.
Chinese painting in inks and gouache on silk, 18th-19th century, 120.5 cm by 76 cm. Price realized: £2,976 ($4,891). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.
Chinese painting in inks and gouache on silk, 18th-19th century, 120.5 cm by 76 cm. Price realized: £2,976 ($4,891). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.
Chinese blue and white baluster jar decorated with floral sprays, grapes and Buddhist symbols, 65cm high, Wanli period. Price realized: £2,976 ($4,891). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.
Chinese blue and white baluster jar decorated with floral sprays, grapes and Buddhist symbols, 65cm high, Wanli period. Price realized: £2,976 ($4,891). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.
Japanese boxwood tonkotsu with matching netsuke and ojime, 19th century, and a wood box and cover, Meiji Period. Price realized: £2,976 ($4,891). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.
Japanese boxwood tonkotsu with matching netsuke and ojime, 19th century, and a wood box and cover, Meiji Period. Price realized: £2,976 ($4,891). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.
Chinese scroll painting in inks and colors on paper, cranes beneath a flowering cherry tree, 201 cm by 86 cm, 19th century. Price realized: £2,356 ($3,871). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.
Chinese scroll painting in inks and colors on paper, cranes beneath a flowering cherry tree, 201 cm by 86 cm, 19th century. Price realized: £2,356 ($3,871). Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions image.