Bands
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 1875/1900
Medium
Forty-four pairs and eight odd pieces of embroidered sleeve, ankle bands, etc. on gauze.
Dimensions
13 × 29.3 cm (5 1/8 × 11 1/2 in.)
Classification
costume - embroidery
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
156163
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Textiles Department at the Art Institute of Chicago, where we showcase the exquisite craftsmanship of Qing dynasty (1644–1911) China. *Bands*, created by Han-Chinese artisans around 1875–1900, consists of forty-four pairs and eight individual pieces of embroidered sleeve bands, ankle bands, and similar accessories mounted on delicate gauze. Measuring just 13 × 29.3 cm, this intimate collection captures the refined elegance of late imperial costume accessories, likely used to adorn women's garments for everyday or ceremonial wear. Han-Chinese embroidery during the Qing era was r...
About the Artist
Han-Chinese
**Han-Chinese** was the collective attribution given to anonymous artisans of Han Chinese descent who crafted intricate embroidered textiles during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). These makers, active primarily in the late 18th to early 20th centuries, specialized in luxurious garments and furnishings that showcased the pinnacle of Han Chinese needlework traditions. Their early lives and individual ...