Dragon Robe (Ch'i-fu)
ca. 1875
Court attire was legislated by the Manchu rulers of China. Whether Han Chinese or Manchu, every person donned Manchu-style clothing where color, decoration, and quality of materials indicate status and rank. The blue silk and nine five-clawed dragons of this jifu (literally “auspicious dress”) indicate that it likely belonged to an aristocrat or high official. Repeated motifs of red bats and the character shou (longevity) offer the wearer wishes for good luck and a long life.
Silk cloth with embroidery (satin stitch and couching with gold thread)
87 1/8 in. (221.3 cm)
L.: 54 1/8 in.
Gift of Elisabeth Taber Bottler
90.2
