Manchu Man’s Semiformal Court Robe

Culture: Chinese
Dynasty: Qing dynasty, 1644–1911
Period: Guangxu period, 1875–1908
Date: late 19th century
Material: Embroidered silk with silk and metallic threads
from: China, Asia
Classification: Costume & clothing, textiles
Collection: Asian Art
Current Location: Not on view
Dimensions: neck to hem: 53 9/16 in. (136 cm)
arm span: 88 3/16 in. (224 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Barbara Martin-Smith
Rights: Public Domain
Object Number: 1775:1981

NOTES

The body and upper sleeves of this court robe are decorated with nine five-clawed dragons, clouds, mountains, waves, all in gold against a blue ground. In the scattered scheme are the eight Buddhist emblems of good fortune, cloud scrolls, swastikas, and character medallions reading shou ("longevity"). The stylized "standing water" pattern is completely linear; the thin bands are characteristic of late-19th-century style. The tapered sleeves, in black twill with yellow ribbed pattern, end with flared "horse-hoof" cuffs. The neck band and cuffs have imperial imagery of dragons, waves with the "Eight Treasures," cloud scrolls, and bats against a black ground.

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