Sleeve Band
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Silk; on silk
Dimensions
30 x 6 1/4 in. (76.20 x 15.88 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of William Christian Paul, 1929
Accession Number
30.75.141
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate **Sleeve Band**, crafted in 19th-century China during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), exemplifies pinnacle of imperial textile artistry. Worn as a decorative cuff on elite garments, such as Manchu robes or women's jackets, it reflects the era's opulent fashion, where embroidered accessories signified status and refinement. Produced in the vibrant workshops of the Qing court or prosperous merchant families, these bands adorned sleeves to prevent fraying while showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. Embroidered on fine silk with silk threads, the band measures 30 x 6 1/4 inches (76.20 x...