QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

Compiled during the Qianlong period, the illustrated encyclopedia album entitled Huangchao liqi tushi (Illustrated precedents for the ritual paraphernalia of the [Qing] imperial court)classified all clothing and accessories used by the court, from the emperor to the lowest functionary. Clothing was generally divided into court clothes, auspicious clothes, and regular clothes, depending on the occasion. A yellow silk court belt of the same yellow color as the present belt, but with gold-inlaid jade pendants, and dated to the Jiaqing reign (1796-1820), is in the collection of the Palace Museum, Taipei. The catalogue notes that the bright yellow color of this belt is in line with imperial regulations for auspicious clothing, and this belt would have likely been worn by the Jiaqing Emperor for an auspicious occasion. (Fig. 1) For other examples of yellow silk formal belts dated to the early Qing dynasty with associated belt buckles and belt slides see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 51 - Costumes and Accessories of the Qing Court, Hong Kong, 2005, pp. 263-5, pls. 166-7.