Emperor's Jifu (Semiformal Court Robe)
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 1825/50
Medium
Silk, slit tapestry weave; painted details; upper sleeves: silk, satin weave self-patterned by areas of twill weave; lower sleeves: silk, twill weave; impressed ribs
Dimensions
151.4 × 199.7 cm (59 5/8 × 78 5/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
68830
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Some of the stylistic elements of this nineteenth-century jifu, such as the shaped overlap at the front, lower sleeves, and horse-hoof-shaped cuffs, emphasize Manchu forms and construction details. Overall, however, the eighteenth-century restyling which influenced this garment's design was linked to Chinese imperial precedent and reflected Han-Chinese tastes and aesthetics. During the re-evaluation of court attire initiated by the Qianlong emperor in 1748, this robe type, which had previously b...
About the Artist
Manchu
"Manchu" is a cultural and ethnic designation used in museum collection records to identify objects, textiles, costumes, and decorative arts associated with the Manchu people, a Tungusic group originating from the regions northeast of the Great Wall of China. The Manchus rose to political dominance in 1644 when they conquered the declining Ming dynasty and established the Qing dynasty, which ruled...