Large imperial carpet of rectangular shape in polychrome silk decorated with five-clawed dragons and Buddhist objects, China, 19th centuryCentral decoration of a five-clawed dragon in front of a poly-lobed medallion, the four corners also decorated with dragons chasing the sacred pearl, the background decorated with lotus scrolls. The edges are outlined with a frieze of Greek and then a wide band of alternating floral panels and auspicious symbols. The upper edge is inscribed 武英殿備用 - wuying dian bei yong - for use in the "Hall of Martial Valor" - 备用 - bei yong meaning "in reserve". Size: 269 x 188.5 cmUsures . During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Hall of Martial Valor was the place where emperors fasted and received ministers. It was also one of the "studios" of the court painters. In the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the emperors held ceremonies here, and then from the reign of Kangxi (1662-1722), it became an imperial cultural center, a workshop where books were edited, compiled and printed; these were then marked with the authoritative "Palace Edition". 十九世纪御制编丝绒五龙纹地毯款：武英殿備用