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2005.5.178 - Embroidered Yellow Silk Imperial Twelve Symbol Robe

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Object Typerobe Artistunknown Date Made1875-1908

Item Details

Object Typerobe Artistunknown Date Made1875-1908
Accession Number 2005.5.178 Title Embroidered Yellow Silk Imperial Twelve Symbol Robe Alternate Title Jifu, or semi-formal court robe, with twelve symbols, for the emperor Category clothing Object Type robe Artist unknown Date Made 1875-1908 Place Made China Culture Chinese Period Qing 19th-20th centuries Materials yellow silk satin embroidered with silk and metal-wrapped threads Materials Glossary Embroidery View Materials Glossary Details » Measurements overall: 150.5 cm x 224 cm; neck to hem: 150.5 cm; cuff to cuff: x 224 cm Description
This is a typical Manchurian court robe, jifu, or dragon robe. It has long sleeves with horse-hoof shaped cuffs, which are connected to the upper sleeve by a dark blue silk satin section. There is a full length skirt,…
This is a typical Manchurian court robe, jifu, or dragon robe. It has long sleeves with horse-hoof shaped cuffs, which are connected to the upper sleeve by a dark blue silk satin section. There is a full length skirt, seamlessly flowing from the torso, with slits partway up both sides. The robe has a right side opening and a band collar that surrounds the round neckline to the waist. Following the costume regulations of the Qing Imperial Court, this dragon robe is embroidered with a multi-coloured pattern on yellow satin. There are nine dragons on the robe, including four on the top (the chest, back, and shoulders), four on the lower areas and a hidden dragon under the front overflap. Blue clouds and red bats are scattered throughout the background, with rocks, waves, and colourful diagonal stripes along the hem. Significantly, this dragon robe has the Twelve Symbols of Imperial Authority, which include the sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, an axe, the fu symbol, a pheasant, the grains, cups, flames and seaweed. The symbols are placed specifically on the robe according to court regulations.
Credit Line Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart
© 2020 University of Alberta
© 2020 University of Alberta
© 2020 University of Alberta

Citation

Page Citation for 2005.5.178 - Embroidered Yellow Silk Imperial Twelve Symbol Robe

Page Citation

"2005.5.178 - Embroidered Yellow Silk Imperial Twelve Symbol Robe, Mactaggart Art Collection." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/21-19400. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Publications

Author Vollmer, John and Jacqueline Simcox
Title Emblems of Empire: Selections from the Mactaggart Art Collection
Publication Date 2009