Minneapolis Institute of Art

Manchu Empress' Semiformal Court Robe

China

Date

1662–1722

Medium

Silk tapestry (k'o-ssu)

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This chang-fu robe displays the standard formal arrangement of eight medallions set against a solid color ground. Each of the multicolored medallions contains a crane rounded in the center, surrounded by seasonal flowers (lotus, plum, magnolia, peony, and chrysanthemum). The neck and sleeve bands, as well as the cuffs, are decorated with multicolored crane roundels and seasonal flowers matching the body. The crane stands for long life, the flowers for purity, beauty, wealth and honor, as well as the four seasons. The red ground was an appropriate color for festive occasions like weddings and birthday celebrations. China, Asia

The authoritative record is held by Minneapolis Institute of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.