Chinese Silk Imperial Robe from the Qing Period in Blue & Gold, 9 Dragons, 12 Symbols

Beautiful and original, Chinese silk Imperial robe from the Qing period.

The robe measures 44” across the top, 44” across the bottom, 54” long and has a 12” sleeve.

This beautiful robe is sporting 8 exterior dragons with the ninth one being on the inside flap chasing a fiery pearl. The lower part of this robe has gold diagonal stripes with rolling waves, lishui waves, and a geometric mountain design above the stripes. The ground color is an impressive royal blue, as a background for the most beautiful hand embroidered gold threading.

There are 12 plus Chinese symbols to include, Mountains, Waves, Seaweed, Bees, a Vase with fruit and flowers, Sea Serpents, Bats, Swastik, Pheonix birds, Longevity Badge, Flaming Pearls, Clouds etc.

This is a high-ranking court robe and was worn by a high-ranking court official.

We date the robe to be about 1830, as it was brought back from Hong Kong by a sea captain on the clipper ship, Surprise, in the early 1850’s and has remained in the family until recently.

The style and the gold wrapped thread date it to the Qing period, 1830’s.

The condition of the robe is nice with normal wear for a 180-year-old piece, plus is a beautiful work of art.  The button drop on the right arm pit and silk around this area is worn about 1/8 of an inch.   Easily fixed.  The interior of the robe shows all the hand embroidery of the designs and makes it even more desirable when opened up.  All shown in the photographs.

The main body of the robe has not been altered.  The horseshoe cuffs might possibly be extinct, making for a summer robe of this period. 

This robe has not been hung or exposed to sunlight.  It has been well preserved by the family and the colors are vibrant.  

This will be a keeper for any Chinese collector or decorator.   A beautiful summer silk robe of great artistic quality representing the Imperial family. A very rare robe and hard find, to find in existence today.