A MASSIVE YELLOW-GROUND EMBROIDERED SILK 'DRAGON' ALTAR FRONTAL Late Qing dynastyPROPERTY OF VARIOUS OWNERSA MASSIVE YELLOW-GROUND EMBROIDERED SILK 'DRAGON' ALTAR FRONTALLate Qing dynastyThe long horizontal panel embroidered in gold-wrapped threads and polychrome silk stitches against a rich yellow ground, dominated by three mighty five-clawed dragons contesting flaming pearls, the central dragon writhing in a frontal pose, the other two bounding towards the center, all surrounded by ruyi-cloud scrolls, bats, and the bajixiang above mountains emerging from waves, lishui stripes at the bottom, across the top a separately woven navy silk band embroidered with three gold 'shou' roundels and bats in flight amidst clouds; all set within a blue brocade border; synthetic gauze backing.48 1/2 x 123 1/2in (123 x 313.8cm)None -