Robe of State

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The robe of state, or chaofu, is the most formal of the imperial Qing robes, and was worn by the emperor and by his high officials during important annual rites. The slim-fitting sleeves and horse-hoof-shaped cuffs, which are vestiges of jackets for horseback hunting in cold weather, illustrate a Manchu adaptation of the traditional Han Chinese court dress, as does the shorter length of the garment. Such adaptations were formalized in 1759 when the style and decoration of court robes were standardized under regulations which also designated colors and designs for different types of robes. The dark blue color and four-clawed dragons on this robe indicate it would have been worn by an individual ranking somewhere between a third degree prince and a fourth degree official.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art