A RARE IMPERIAL BROCADE EDICT FROM THE QIANLONG PERIOD, China, dated 1761

Written on various silk brocades of different colors with a dense cloud pattern on the inside and a lotus scroll on the outside, it is made as an hand scroll readable from left to right in Manchu and repeated from right to left in Chinese characters, bearing inscriptions corresponding to the 26th year of the Qianlong reign (1761); the opening section is decorated with two dragons flanking the characters fengtian gaoming ('imperial mandate of heaven') as a symbol of authenticity; the closure is made of white Hetian jade.

Provenance: - from a private Italian collection.

Catalogue notes:

This edict was issued on November 20th of the 26th year of the Qianlong reign (1761) by Emperor Qianlong to honor the merits of the official of the Internal Affairs Office and council participant, Shutaì. The document confers honorary titles to Shutaì's parents: his father, Ahalián, is bestowed the title of Zhongxian Dafu (Grand Officer of the Constitution), while his mother, surnamed Hu, received the title of Gongren (Lady of Reverence).

Refer to a later edict sold by Sotheby's, Arts d'Asie, June 10, 2021, Paris, lot no. 102. See also Christie's, auction number 15449, Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, March 22-23, 2018, New York, lot no. 980.


清乾隆二十六年（1761）圣旨

内务府郎中兼参领加二级舒泰之父母

此圣旨为诰命圣旨，同时用汉文和满文两种文字书写，是清乾隆二十六年十一月二十日（即公元1761年）乾隆皇帝为了表彰有功官员内务府郎中兼参领舒泰，

特封赠舒泰的父亲阿哈廉为中宪大夫，他的母亲胡氏为恭人。圣旨的所用材料十分考究，为上好蚕丝制成的绫锦织品，以卷云图案为底纹，绚丽多姿，雍容华贵，给人以威严肃穆之感。圣旨两端则有翻飞的银色巨龙作为“防伪”标志，外用和田白玉别。品相完美，保存完好，圣旨不但具有史料价值，更具有极大的艺术欣赏价值。