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2005.5.90 - Blue Gauze Silk Imperial Surcoat for a Man

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Object Typesurcoat Artistunknown Date Made1796-1850

Item Details

Object Typesurcoat Artistunknown Date Made1796-1850
Accession Number 2005.5.90 Title Blue Gauze Silk Imperial Surcoat for a Man Alternate Title Bufu, or court surcoat, for an imperial prince of the second rank Category clothing Object Type surcoat Artist unknown Date Made 1796-1850 Place Made China Culture Chinese Period Qing 19th century Materials dark blue silk gauze with silk and metal-wrapped thread embroidered roundels Materials Glossary Embroidery View Materials Glossary Details » Measurements overall: 118 cm x 165.5 cm; neck to hem: 118 cm; cuff to cuff: x 165.5 cm Description
A dark blue silk gauze surcoat (or bufu) with four embroidered roundels on the front, back, and shoulders. According to the Huangchao liqi tushi (皇朝禮器圖式) or “Illustrated Regulations of the Ceremonial…
A dark blue silk gauze surcoat (or bufu) with four embroidered roundels on the front, back, and shoulders. According to the Huangchao liqi tushi (皇朝禮器圖式) or “Illustrated Regulations of the Ceremonial Paraphernalia of the Imperial Qing Dynasty”), second-rank princes could wear these types of surcoats with four side-facing dragon roundels. This surcoat has a traditional front opening secured with five brass buttons. Such garments were intended to convey the wearer’s identity within society and were worn as outer layers over robes.
Credit Line Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart
© 2020 University of Alberta
© 2020 University of Alberta

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Page Citation for 2005.5.90 - Blue Gauze Silk Imperial Surcoat for a Man

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"2005.5.90 - Blue Gauze Silk Imperial Surcoat for a Man, Mactaggart Art Collection." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/21-19312. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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Publications

Author Vollmer, John and Jacqueline Simcox
Title Emblems of Empire: Selections from the Mactaggart Art Collection
Publication Date 2009
Author Vollmer, John E.
Title Dressed to Rule: 18th Century Court Attire in the Mactaggart Art Collection
Publication Date 2007