Altar Frontal of rust-red brocade. Five four-clawed dragons, one large one in center, in gold. Field of loose clouds and bats gripping symbols in shades of blue, green, pink and peach. Below, the Eternal Sea with branches of Coral in the curling waves. Border of the satin brocaded with running design of flowers, bats and symbols. Across the top a loose strip of green satin brocade with a design of bats, clouds, sacred vessels, plum blossoms, narcissus, and Taoist symbols. Border of the green satin with design of running flowers and synbols. Linings of thin yellow damask and orange silk. Compare Eternal Sea area with that on K'ang-Hsi robes. For a similar altar frontal see London Ill. News, November 30,1935, p.988

Altar Frontal, 18th century

Unknown artist, expand_more

Silk, satin, goldexpand_more

The John R. Van Derlip Fundexpand_more  42.8.139

Not on Viewexpand_more

The upper section of this panel depicts sacred vessels surrounded by a pattern of clouds, bats carrying flowers, butterflies, eight Daoist attributes, and seasonal plants (orchid, narcissus, plum, peony, camellia, bamboo, and fungus). Below that is a large golden dragon in a celestial landscape, which includes smaller dragons, mountains, waves, coral, and flying bats.

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Details
Title
Altar Frontal
Role
Artist
Accession Number
42.8.139
Curator Approved

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Altar Frontal of rust-red brocade. Five four-clawed dragons, one large one in center, in gold. Field of loose clouds and bats gripping symbols in shades of blue, green, pink and peach. Below, the Eternal Sea with branches of Coral in the curling waves. Border of the satin brocaded with running design of flowers, bats and symbols. Across the top a loose strip of green satin brocade with a design of bats, clouds, sacred vessels, plum blossoms, narcissus, and Taoist symbols. Border of the green satin with design of running flowers and synbols. Linings of thin yellow damask and orange silk. Compare Eternal Sea area with that on K'ang-Hsi robes. For a similar altar frontal see London Ill. News, November 30,1935, p.988