Manchu man's semiformal court robe

清朝紗猖手工刺繡恳睳

This blue robe of fine blue gauze is embroidered with golden
dragons cavorting among auspicious clouds. Additional dragons
are to be found on the collar and the cuffs of this robe.
In China the dragon is associated with the emperor and robes
such as this one were worn at court occasions. The bottom of
the robe is woven with typical mountain and wave patterns
representing the concept of a united reign.

This robe fastens along the right side and has slits in
the front and back. Its sleeves end with horse hoof-shaped
cuffs (matixiu) distinctive to the dress of the Manchu rulers
of the Qing dynasty. This feature dates the robe to no later
than 1911 because with the onset of the Republican era this
style of cuff, given its association with the deposed Manchu
regime, had disappeared.