Woman's Trouser Band
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 1875/1900
Medium
Embroidered in shades of blue and black on gauze.
Dimensions
14.2 × 33.5 cm (5 5/8 × 13 1/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
22080
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Woman's Trouser Band*, crafted by Han-Chinese artisans during China's Qing dynasty (1644–1911) around 1875–1900, exemplifies the exquisite textile traditions of late imperial China. Measuring just 14.2 ×33.5 cm, this narrow strip was likely used to cinch or adorn the waistband of women's trousers, a practical yet decorative element of everyday Han attire. During the Qing era, such garments blended functionality with artistry, reflecting the Manchu-influenced court's emphasis on refined craftsmanship amid social and cultural shifts. Embroidered in subtle shades of blue and black...
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 ...