Woman's Bridal Dress, Tabard
Unknown Artist
1800s
Medium
Silk, gilt-metal thread; embroidery
Dimensions
111.8 × 73.7 cm
Classification
Garment
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Elizabeth Wade Sedgwick
Accession Number
2005.135.3
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This three-piece bridal dress includes a dragon jacket, pleated skirt, and tabard, a short loose-fitting sleeveless vest. The ensemble reveals the high rank of her husband even though it did not fall under the scope of the Qing Dynasty sumptuary laws. The three-quarter-length sleeveless tabard completes the outfit, with a front closure, open sides secured by cloth bands, and a colorful tasseled fringe around the hem. Dragons, water, and clouds are embroidered on the silk ground.