An antique Imperial silk 'Five dragon' palace rug, Qing dynasty, 1880. Measure approx. 238 x 154.5 cm.

One end with an inscription: 景仁宮備用 (Jingren gong bei yong) 'for the use in the Palace of Great Benevolence'. A yellow ground with blooming polychrome branches as well as a medallion and corner ornaments with five-clawed dragons. A wide yellow main border with peonies and Buddhist symbols.

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The inscription on this rug indicates that it was woven for The Palace of Great Benevolence (Jingren gong). Jingren gong was built in 1420 and was one of the six eastern palaces in the Forbidden City. The palace served as the residence for the imperial concubines during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

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