Robe
| Type: | Clothing - Garment |
|---|---|
| Object Name: | Robe |
| Local Name: | jifu |
| Place Made: | Asia: East Asia, China |
| Period: | 19th century |
| Date: | 1800 - 1900 |
| Dimensions: | L 138 cm x W 129 cm |
| Materials: | Metal thread; silk floss |
| Techniques: | Embroidered; couched; satin stitch; kesi; slit tapestry woven; tapestry woven; painted; hand-sewn; satin |
| ID Number: | T96.0072 |
| Credit: | Gift of Betty Plewman |
Full-length, semi-formal robes, or jifu, were worn by all in attendance at court or in service of the Manchu imperial government and were the official Chi’ing period costume. The three elements that decorate this robe – oceans, mountains and the heavens – symbolize the physical order and harmony of the universe. A dragon represents the power of the emperor. The five-clawed “lung dragon” suggests it was worn by a member of the imperial family or high-ranking official.
