18/19th C. Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty silk panel tapestry. Finely decorated with metallic threads showing front facing imperial golden dragon, borne amidst fumes of a ruyi clouds and flames enclosed within a scrolling tendrils circular cartouche. Dragon is the symbol of the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, eternity, Yang and Yin, male vigor and fecundity, the Li-Shui wave pattern which is known to be the abode of dragons. The dragon is also the most important of the four super natural creatures in Chinese mythology, ranked with the Phoenix, the Qilin, and the Tortoise. The dragon is also the symbol of the month March, of Spring and of rebirth and fertility for it brings the rain bearing clouds of spring. When shown with the heavenly pearl, sometimes ball, it represents thunder and the storm. Emblem of vigilance and safety, and frequently associated with the idea of joy. Bordered with arrays of rocky mountains and Lishui wavy waters. All reserved against imperial yellow silk ground.Height:41.5 inWidth: 25.88 in in