1995.40 Woman's semi-formal court coat

The impressive silk court robes of China represent the potential of clothing and costume to communicate directly both rank and symbolism to an informed audience. High-ranking people at the imperial court of China wore particular types of robes, with designs that signified their status and underlined their position at court. While this silk coat is finely embroidered and glamorous, it is not simply a fashion statement. The squared shape of the sleeve identifies this robe as a woman’s semi-formal court coat. The most important motif is an elegant white crane, whose wings curve gracefully out and down to form a circular emblem within  the roundels on the body of the garment. The crane, like other white things, was considered  auspicious and symbolized longevity. It was also the insignia for a first-rank civil official. This coat may well have been worn by the wife of an official of that rank.

China (nation): TGN: 1000111

silk (textile): AAT: 300243428

tapestry (process): AAT: 300061981

weaving: AAT: 300053642

Qing: AAT: 300018478

nineteenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404513

courts (social groups): AAT: 300236519

cranes (wading birds family gruidae): AAT: 300254555

fish (animals): AAT: 300266085

geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213

insignias (devices / symbols): AAT: 300028725

mountains: AAT: 300008795

rank (social status): AAT: 300250915

robes: AAT: 300209852

stripes: AAT: 300010230

wave pattern: AAT: 300009936

wives: AAT: 300154343

women (female humans): AAT: 300025943

1995: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Beatrice M. Haggerty

The main source for this provenance is the Acquisition Proposal dated April 4, 1995, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records object file.  

Apply to objects where number equals 1995.40