Trouser Band
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 1875/1900
Medium
Forty-four pairs and eight odd pieces of embroidered sleeve, ankle bands, etc. on gauze.
Dimensions
16 × 33.3 cm (6 3/8 × 13 1/8 in.)
Classification
costume - embroidery
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
156164
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Art Institute of Chicago's Textiles, *Trouser Band* showcases the exquisite embroidery craftsmanship of Han-Chinese artisans during the late Qing dynasty (1644–1), dated around 1875–0. This delicate composite piece comprises forty-four pairs and eight individual bands—originally used for sleeves, ankles, and trouser hems—meticulously applied to a gauze foundation. Measuring a modest 16 × 33.3 cm, it the everyday elegance of Han Chinese costume, where such bands secured and adorned garments in a society valuing refined detail. Gauze, a sheer and lightweight silk fabric, served a...
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 ...