Rare antique Chinese Emperor's robe found in cardboard box could fetch huge amount

A rare Imperial robe worn by the Emperor of China over 100 years ago has been discovered packed away in a cardboard box.

The 19th Century garment was found boxed up in the back of a drawer at a house in Buckinghamshire. Now it is expected to fetch up to £50,000 at auction. The ’12-symbol’ blue silk dragon robe was a very special garment created especially for the Emperor of China.

Experts say it was only worn by the ruling Emperor for two days a year, for festivals at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China. The incredible find was made by the Villiers family, one of England’s most distinguished aristocratic families with historic links to Royalty dating back to the 17th Century.

The robe was purchased originally in China around 1913 by Eric Hyde Villiers, who lived in China from the early 20th Century until 1945, while working for Martell Cognac. The robe was said to be a gift that he brought back to England for his father, Francis Hyde Villiers. But it remained in a box packed away in the family home in England for over 100 years.

It was only very recently found having been pushed to the back of a drawer that was never opened. The rare imperial robes were worn by Emperors at festivals and were sewn with specific symbols and motifs representing the Gods and the symbols of his Imperial standing.

This particular one has a blue background and features the 12 symbols of Imperial authority arranged in three groups of four: the sun, the moon, constellation and rock around the neck. The nine Imperial five-clawed dragons are seen clasping flaming pearls of wisdom, which was a visual metaphor of the good ruler who behaved wisely for the wellbeing of his subjects.

Due to it being stored in a cardboard box and out of the light, experts say it has retained its original colours and is in “very fine” condition. China expert David Leffman said: “Note that 1913 was a year after the last emperor abdicated. He was allowed to stay on in the Forbidden City until being kicked out by a warlord in the 1920s, but with little income he – and his staff – doubtless sold off treasures to pay for their upkeep.”

The robe is estimated to fetch between £30,000 and £50,000 when it goes upfor auction at Dreweatts Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Sale on May 21. Mark Newstead, Specialist Consultant for Asian Ceramics and Works of Art at Dreweatts, said: “We are delighted to be offering for sale this important Emperors Imperial 12-symbol dragon robe, which has been left largely untouched for over 100 years retaining its original colour and condition.”

“It had been forgotten about by the family and was recently found in a tailor’s box at the back of a drawer. It is particularly auspicious to be selling it in the lunar Year of the Dragon.”