Uncut Yardage (For Woman's Coat)
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 1875/1900
Medium
Panel of uncut sleeve bands and collar edging, shades of blue embroidery on cream satin.
Dimensions
98.8 × 72.1 cm (38 7/8 × 28 3/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
52212
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Textiles gallery, where we encounter *Uncut Yardage ( Woman's Coat)*, a exquisite panel from China's Qing dynasty (1644–1), dated around 1875–1900. Crafted by Han artisans—the ethnic majority under Manchu rule—this piece represents the opulent world of late imperial fashion. Measuring nearly 99 by 72 cm, it consists of uncut sleeve bands and collar, preserved in its raw yardage form before tailoring into a woman's coat. This format highlights the meticulous planning in garment design, where fabric was first embroidered and then precisely cut. The artwork shines through its mast...
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 ...