A Chinese silk battle-banner/flag, dating from the time of the Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864), of triangular form and made up in four stitched widths with separate 'ragged flame' border, the triangular field painted with a five-clawed dragon emerging from waves in pursuit of the flaming pearl, height approx 219cm (faults), the lower fringe stitched with a label describing part of the provenance, inscribed 'Jersey 1914, I Lucy Gunton bequeath to my grand-nephew Gordon John Trigg, this silk flag, taken from the Chinese rebels by General (Chinese) Gordon & given to me by Mrs W.H. Anderson, a sister of the General's. The said flag not to be given away but always kept in the family (Aunt Lucy)', together with a number of cartes-de-visite relating to the Gordon family, including a General Gordon In Memoriam photograph. Note: according to the provenance, the flag was obtained by General Gordon during the Taiping Rebellion, Gordon having been invited by the Imperial Command to quell the rebellion. It is unclear if the banner was the personal banner of General Qing, alongside whom General Gordon fought, or the captured banner of the rebels. A fuller account of the provenance is available on request.