Navy Crane Chair cover
China
18th century, Kangxi period (1662-1722)

A very fine and elegant chair cover of midnight blue silk satin embroidered in satin stitch with a crane, symbol of longevity. Above the crane, amid multi-coloured clouds, is a sun disc, representing the emperor. The lower part of the cover has a group of antique vessels. The crane was also the insignia of the first civil rank. It’s presence on this chair cover may indicate that it was intended to drape over a chair reserved for somebody of this exalted rank.