Imperial robe of yellow satin brocaded in green, rose, blue, brown, black, red, orange, and gold. Nine 5-clawed dragons, tose in profile grasping the Heavenly Jewel. In field, loose cloud forms and five bats, the latter appearing in orbit of each of the profile dragons. Border of narrow, slightly wavy wave-stripes in alternating body colors, with clouds topping strips between stripe and curling area of waves. To each side of side seam, front and back, a swastika above the waves. Similar border, but without wave-stripes and swastike, at elbow of sleeves, which are finished with a length of widely ribbed yellow silk termintating in cuffs of dark blue satin brocade with bats, sitting dragons and cloud forms. Wide collar of same brocade, with band extending down opening to under arm. Body lined with thin blue silk, sleeves with thin yellow brocaded silk.

Manchu Woman's Semiformal Court Vest (hsia-pei), 1662-1722

Unknown artist, expand_more

Silk brocadeexpand_more

The John R. Van Derlip Fundexpand_more  42.8.6

Not on Viewexpand_more

Court vests worn on formal occasions, unlike dragon robes, are constructed with a center front opening. The first two styles of vest reserved for the empress, imperial consorts, and crown princesses, were dark blue garments with horizontal bands of dragons. This example is of the third type. Its four ascending five-claw dragons on yellow ground indicated a garment appropriate to the wife of a first or second-degree prince.

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Details
Title
Manchu Woman's Semiformal Court Vest (hsia-pei)
Role
Artist
Dimension
L.52-3/4 x W.48-1/2 in.
Accession Number
42.8.6
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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Imperial robe of yellow satin brocaded in green, rose, blue, brown, black, red, orange, and gold. Nine 5-clawed dragons, tose in profile grasping the Heavenly Jewel. In field, loose cloud forms and five bats, the latter appearing in orbit of each of the profile dragons. Border of narrow, slightly wavy wave-stripes in alternating body colors, with clouds topping strips between stripe and curling area of waves. To each side of side seam, front and back, a swastika above the waves. Similar border, but without wave-stripes and swastike, at elbow of sleeves, which are finished with a length of widely ribbed yellow silk termintating in cuffs of dark blue satin brocade with bats, sitting dragons and cloud forms. Wide collar of same brocade, with band extending down opening to under arm. Body lined with thin blue silk, sleeves with thin yellow brocaded silk.