Man's Formal Court Robe, Chaofu
Place made:China
General region:Asia
Culture: Chinese
Period: Qing dynasty
Dynasty: Qing
Date: Mid to late 19th century
Medium: Silk and metallic thread
Dimensions:
length: 54 in. (137.2 cm)
width: 90 in. (228.6 cm)
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, Gift of Bessie Timon
Object number: 68.40.255
Label Text
This robe was the most formal type of men’s court dress. The emperor wore this type of robe for solemn occasions such as state sacrifices and imperial audiences. It is lavishly decorated with dragons flying among clouds and swirling water waves and mountain peaks. Gold-wrapped silk thread is laid atop the fabric then stitched in place with finer silk thread—a process known as “couching.” Mid-eighteenth century regulations stipulated that only the emperor and heir apparent could wear robes adorned with five-clawed dragons. Such requirements were often overlooked later in the dynasty, so robes like this one might have been worn by a nobleman, a high-ranking official, or an imperial guard.
Not on view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
