Imperial Robe

About the Art

This brocade dragon robe was made for the royal court, where the color yellow was reserved for the imperial family. The slits at the sides indicate that it was for the Empress. The sleeves are extended with pleated silk ending in the “horse-hoof” cuff. The design of nine five-clawed dragons clutching the pearl of wisdom symbolizes the universe, with the heavens, the water and the earth all representing the Emperor, the Son of Heaven. Other symbols include bats, Daoist Immortal symbols, the Shou characters for longevity and swastika, which are all symbols of good luck and good fortune. The tall, narrow mountains and shallow depth of the sea near the hemline indicate a date of 1760–1780.

FEATURED IMAGE
Artist(s) unknown (China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period, 1736–1795), Imperial Robe, 1760–1780, silk-satin brocade with metallic thread, 74 x 54 inches (188 x 137.2 cm). Gift of the Honorable Jefferson Patterson, 1952.100