Cleveland Museum of Art

Woman's Bridal Dress, Tabard

Date

1800s

Medium

Silk, gilt-metal thread; embroidery

Culture

China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

Department

Textiles

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

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. A rank badge applied on the front and back shows that the bride married a man of high official rank.

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