Court Robe with Twelve Symbols
Original Language Title清代 緙絲十二章吉服袍
CultureChinese
Date18th century
MediumSilk tapestry (kesi) woven with silk and metallic threads
DimensionsOverall: 58 1/2 × 76 1/4 inches (148.59 × 193.68 cm)
Credit LinePurchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust
Object number35-273
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionImperial coat, yellow ground, nine gold dragons, wave pattern at the bottom. Body of robe, clouds and twelve imperial symbols. Dark blue collar and cuffs.Gallery LabelOnly an emperor could have worn this robe. Its yellow color is at the top of the hierarchy of red, green, blue, and other hues assigned to court members. Twelve imperial symbols are tightly woven among other complex designs. The weaver used the kesi (slit silk) tapestry technique to precisely render each symbol of authority. Passed down from around 2000 B.C.E., these symbols represent natural phenomena in the universe. When the emperor wore this robe to receive subordinates, these symbols declared his right to govern the country.
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