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Lot Essay
The Twelve Ancient Symbols of Imperial Authority first appeared on the Manchu emperor's clothing after 1759. These symbols were superimposed on the general decorative schema of Qing court garments, losing the visual prominence they had enjoyed during the Ming dynasty. Nonetheless, they emphatically demonstrated the Qing intention of embracing the traditional role as rulers of the Chinese empire. Under the Qing, the first four symbols--sun, moon, stars, and mountain--were placed at the shoulders, chest and mid-back. The symbol of distinction (fu), hatchet, paired dragons, and the golden pheasant appeared at waist level. Temple-cups, aquatic grass, grains of millet, and flames were placed at knee level on the skirts of the coat.
The present robe would likely have been made for Cixi (1835-1908), the Dowager Empress of the Qing dynasty. The empress was permitted to wear the yellow twelve-symbol dragon robe at celebrations, sacrificial rites, and important ceremonies, and it served as a symbol of her power.
The present robe would likely have been made for Cixi (1835-1908), the Dowager Empress of the Qing dynasty. The empress was permitted to wear the yellow twelve-symbol dragon robe at celebrations, sacrificial rites, and important ceremonies, and it served as a symbol of her power.