Man's Imperial Coat
Artist/Culture
Chinese
Artist/Culture
Manchu
Date19th Century
Mediumtapestry silk
ClassificationsCostumes and Accessories
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. George Eustis Corcoran
Object number1927.37
Label TextWorn by all in attendance at court or in service of the Manchu imperial government, this summer robe probably belonged to a member of the Emperor's family. Although dragons have been an imperial emblem in China since the Tang Dynasty (618-906 A.D.), the Manchu (Qing) dynasty reserved the five-clawed dragon for the emperor and his immediate family. Lesser nobles and high-ranking officials used the four-clawed dragon unless granted the privilege of wearing the imperial symbol.
The prototype of this garment can be traced to dragon-patterned semi-formal coats of preceding dynasties. The Manchu developed a decorative system that used a schematic diagram of the universe to symbolize the concept of universal order upon which the Chinese state rested.
ProvenanceMr. and Mrs. George Eustis Corcoran, Washington, New YorkOn View
Not on view
Chinese
19th century, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)