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I am planning to sell this piece on Ebay and I'd like to be sure I give an accurate description.
I took detailed photos with & without flash...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23676403@N07/sets/72157623373199957/
Could someone advise who this woman is and what period (date) this painting was likely done?
From my own research, the crown has four Chinese characters which a Chinese friend of mine translated to 'takes orders from heaven'. I understand that this is the Chinese Imperial Order that gives the emperor/empress the power to rule. This would suggest that this is an Empress.
The attire also seems to be of the Imperial court, with the five claw dragon and use of gold on red. However, the woman has badge on her gown of a flying crane which I've read is symbolic of 1st civil rank that would suggest that she is not an Empress, but a top ranked member of the Imperial court.
Somone suggested that this could be Empress Dowager when she was younger (prior to becoming Cixi/Empress).
The detail is quite fine, especially the extensive use of gold gilding ... Could this be a true Imperial portrait rather than a commemorative ancesteral painting?
Thanks for you assistance.
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Chinese Imperial Portrait - rat - Feb 24, 2010 (02:18 PM) 
- Roger - Mar 27, 2010 (12:34 AM)