Informal Dragon Robe

19th century

An informal dragon robe (Chinese, late 19th century) made of blue silk and copper thread. The traditional cut is decorated with embroidered metallic copper dragons on a canton blue ground with a pale blue fabric lining. Wide sleeves end in stripes of metallic black and gold contrasting fabric from the elbow down and the whole is tied together with five braid-and-ball closures. Symmetrically placed dragons among clouds cover the main body of the garment while a hem pattern of stripes represent water with turbulent waves and mountain peaks. The design of the robe suggests it was originally intended as an informal dressing gown for a high-ranking male member of China's royal court. The five-clawed dragons depicted were restricted to emperors and distinguished court members, though their prevalence increased beyond the court during the late Qing dynasty. After the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911, imperial-style garments like this one flooded the Western market.

Chinese

copper metallic brocade

silk

61" x 49.5"

Gift of Mr. Edward Lee Cave, 1978.

84.49