Accession Number
2005.5.178
Title
Embroidered Yellow Silk Imperial Twelve Symbol Robe
Alternate TitleJifu, 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
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Citation
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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 21 Dec. 2024.
Publications
AuthorVollmer, John and Jacqueline Simcox
TitleEmblems of Empire: Selections from the Mactaggart Art Collection