An Imperial edict from the Qianlong reign

拍品描述

Period Qianlong period (1736-1795) Header Horizontal hand scroll, ink on woven brocade, with parallel text in Chinese and Manchurian. Description Mounted as a handscroll and fashioned from multicoloured brocade densely woven with cloud and crane motifs, the opening section is adorned with two dragons flanking the characters fengtian gaoming (“Imperial Mandate of Heaven”). This imperial edict (shengzhi) was issued on the 25th day of the 11th month in the 36th year of the Qianlong reign (30 December 1771) during the Qing Dynasty, under the authority of the Qianlong Emperor (r. 1736–1795). It was awarded to the wife of Saibing’a (赛炳阿), Manchu Hereditary Viscount of the First Class, Concurrently Company Commander and Imperial Guard of the Third Class, with One Degree of Added Rank. In addition to recognizing Saibing’a personally, the edict extends honorific status to his wife granting her the title of Yipin Furen (一品夫人, First-Rank Lady, in accordance with Qing conventions of hereditary and familial merit. The edict displays a rich palette of colours and elaborate decorative motifs, including cranes—symbols of longevity and high rank—far surpassing those found on edicts issued to officials of lesser standing. In the Qing Dynasty, such visual splendor was not merely ornamental but functioned as a codified expression of rank and imperial favor, directly corresponding to the recipient’s position within the bureaucratic hierarchy. Dimensions 485 x 31 cm Literature The imperial edict was a gaoming—an honorary certificate or appointment bestowed by the emperor upon officials and their families.

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