Court coat (ch'i-fu)

late 19th century, 1870's-1890's

Color, decoration, and quality of materials are the main indicators of status and rank in Chinese court regalia. The blue silk and five-clawed dragons of this spectacular jifu (semiformal court coat) indicate that it likely belonged to an aristocrat or a high official. Gold thread is woven into parts of the garment, and gold-thread designs are couched (attached) with small stitches.

Silk with gold thread embroidery

52 1/4 x 85 1/2 in. (132.7 x 217.1cm)

Gift of Mrs. William E. Grimshaw

51.73

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Going For Gold, Nov. 3, 2012 - Dec. 8, 2013.

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view Aug. 4, 2022 - Jan. 8, 2023].

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