AN EMBROIDERED SILK POUCH, LATE QING DYNASTY China, 19^th century. Finely embroidered with a prominent shou medallion in gilt thread at the center, surrounded by two bats and endless knots, framed by crashing waves above a ruyi-head band and lishui stripe. With a pleated drawstring top, the neck tied with a pair of orange strings, decorated with a lacquered bead in imitation of turquoise carved with a shou medallion.

Provenance: German private collection.
Condition: Very good condition with some old wear, signs of age and usage, and few loose threads.

Dimensions: Size 10.8 x 11.1 cm

Drawstring purses affirm the nomadic origin of the Manchu, as they probably developed from carrying purses made of leather which often contained pieces of flint needed to strike a flame, fundamental to the Manchu way of life. Silk pouches formed an essential part of the outfit worn by the highest-ranking members of Qing society. These small containers were often suspended from court belts, chaodai, serving as receptacles containing daily necessities, such as aromatic items, tobacco, and other small objects. As the lower part of these delicate purses was densely embroidered in either Peking knot or tent-stitch, the top part was finely pleated.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams London, 2 November 2021, lot 277
Price: GBP 5,355 or approx. EUR 6,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pair of finely-embroidered 'dragon' purses, 19th century



清末團壽如意麗水紋荷包
中國，十九世紀。腰圓式荷包中央精美金線團壽紋，周圍環繞著彩色兩隻蝙蝠和中國結，三藍暈色如意立水紋。可以通過拉動通穿荷包的橘色絲絛開啟荷包，飾有仿綠松石漆珠。

來源：德國私人收藏。
品相：狀況極好，有一些磨損，有老化和使用痕跡，少量鬆動的線。

尺寸：10.8 x 11.1 厘米

拉繩荷包肯定了滿族的游牧起源，因為它們可能是從攜帶皮革製成的荷包發展而來的，那些荷包可以放置火石等物品，這是滿族生活方式的基本要佩帶荷包、香囊的習俗從唐代開始，一直沿用到清末民初，使用者上至王公貴族，下至黎民百姓。這些小荷包通常掛在腰帶、朝帶上，用於盛放日常用品，如芳香物品、煙草和其他小物件。這些精緻的荷包下一般有中國結，頂部有精美的褶皺。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：倫敦邦瀚斯，2021年11月2日，lot 277
價格：GBP 5,355（相當於今日EUR 6,500）
描述：十九世紀一對御製緙絲雙龍戲珠紋荷包