A LARGE AND COMPOUND 'DRAGON, PHOENIX AND HUNDRED BOYS' EMBROIDERED YELLOW SILK PANEL / WALL HANGING China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century The upper part, flanked by two brocade bands, is centered with a double shou longevity ideogram, flanked by a five-clawed dragon and a five-clawed phoenix flying amidst ruyi-shaped clouds. The lower part is embroidered with hundred boys playing in a garden where there is a pavilion / architecture. 116 x 223 cm Provenance: - a South of France private collection; - one of a triptych bought in the 1970s at a provincial public auction in Vienne, Drôme, France (according to the owner). Notes: The dragon (long 龙) is yang and associated with the east and spring. When depicted with five claws, as on that embroidery, it is the symbol of the Emperor. The Chinese phoenix is a mythical bird known as the fenghuang (凤 凰). It is the symbol of the Empress. The combination of the two is therefore a symbol of the Imperial Couple. Conjoined dragon and phoenix also represent the union of a man and a woman, a pun for a fruitful union, whilst the theme of the ‘One Hundred Boys’, as depicted on the lower part, is a pun for a fertile union and a long-lasting male descent. As a result, this embroidery might have been done for a marriage / wedding. While the iconography makes sense, it is an eventuality that the upper part and the lower part have originally not been parts of the same embroidery. One may note that both have been cut into three parts and then sewed together. On the upper part, the pattern is cut both to the left and the right. On the lower part, the pattern is cut to the left, to the right and to the lowest part. “龙凤百子”大型真丝刺绣壁挂 中国，清代，19世纪 NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.