Fur-lined yellow silk dragon robe

Unknown

Fur-lined yellow silk tapestry (kesi) dragon robe made in China between 1820 and 1850. Clothing was carefully regulated at the Qing court, with colour and decoration used to indicate rank. Bright yellow robes were reserved for the emperor, empress dowager, empress and first-rank concubine. The heir apparent and his wife wore apricot-colour robes, and the emperor’s other sons wore golden yellow. There were also rules dictating the correct clothing for each season and when these seasonal wardrobe changes should be made. Summer robes were often made from fine silk gauze while winter robes could be padded or fur-lined.