Man's Semiformal Robe
Place made:China
General region:Asia
Culture: Chinese
Period: Qing dynasty
Dynasty: Qing
Date: mid-19th century
Medium: Satin silk
Dimensions:
length: 59 1/4 in. (150.5 cm)
width: 82 1/2 in. (209.6 cm)
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, Gift of Carol Lee Klose
Object number: 95.50.2
Provenance: Butterfield & Butterfield, San Francisco
Label Text
This type of dragon robe is the most well-known Qing dynasty imperial dress in the West. It was designed for wear during festivals, family banquets, and other events held before major sacrificial ceremonies. The robe is embroidered in gold thread with three vibrant, powerful dragons on the front, three on the back, and one on each shoulder. They each fly among dense clouds, chasing a flaming pearl. Along the hem are diagonal color bands topped by swirling waves from which mountain peaks rise up. Smaller symbols originating from Buddhism and Taoism—swastikas, red bats, lotus flowers, and coral branches—convey good wishes for the wearer and by extension for the court and the empire.
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.
