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Jifu (Dragon Robe), Mid-19th century, China
The dragon has been an important image in Chinese arts since ancient times. For many centuries, the dragon was a noble symbol of Chinese emperors and figured prominently on court costume of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). During this dynasty, court costume was highly regulated; garments were decorated according to an official hierarchy of symbols and colors and worn in prescribed layers as determined by the court. The jifu, or dragon robe as it's commonly known in the West, is the element of the Qing costume repertoire perhaps most recognized worldwide. When worn, this garment represents a powerful and symbolic image of universal order. Water and earth are at the hem with dragons and other auspicious symbols inhabiting the heavens above. The Textile Museum 1973.30.2
Each month we will highlight a different textile from the Museum's collection. |
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