Emperor’s Semiformal Court Robe with Design of Nine Five-Clawed Dragons, Clouds, Bats, and Auspicious Motifs

This bright yellow satin robe is meticulously worked on the front and back with eight five-clawed dragons (long) pursuing flaming pearls, with a ninth dragon hidden on the front underflap. Auspicious bats fly over rolling waves and mountains. The stylized stripes of deep water at the hem are finely embroidered in shades of green, blue, and white, with intervening gold threads. The undulating waves above them are satin-stitched with two or three colors mixed in any given band, producing a spectacular effect of shading. The slightly flared deep blue satin "horse-hoof" cuffs are decorated with dragons and multicolored clouds above waves, as is the neck band. The garment's slits on front, back, and sides indicate an imperial rank of the highest order.