Silk embroidered with gold thread
China, late 19th century
Finely worked in gold thread with nine five-clawed dragons confronting ‘flaming pearls’, amongst clouds and bats embroidered in brightly colored silk thread, all on the rich blue ground
Glorious colors
Measurements: total length 140 cm; width of back (arm to arm) 215 cm
Good condition
Provenance: Private collection, Saarland
Finely adorned official’s robe with highly symbolic decorations

This so-called jifu robe would traditionally have been worn by an official of the Qing court, a mandarin, according to strict protocol. Nine five-clawed dragons chasing ‘flaming pearls’ are embroidered in couched gold thread on a blue ground. Nine was considered the number of the emperor, thus only senior officials were allowed to wear nine dragons on their robes. The color blue was associated with the Temple of Heaven, south of the palace, where the Emperor prayed for a good harvest. The robe is further adorned with many auspicious symbols: bats and cranes fly between the cloud motifs – a symbol of longevity and auspicious wish to the wearer. Cranes were also considered messengers of the gods. The water and waves, striped hem line, elevated the mandarin to a high status. It was believed that the wearers of these robes would become immortal.



The robe is in excellent condition with signs of wear. The colors are well-preserved. The collar and cuffs could be a marriage from another garment, but are well matched. They are worn. A few imperfections, some small holes and repairs are visible. The robe has a total length of approx. 140 cm and the width of the back measures approx. 215 cm arm to arm.

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