Cushion Cover Possibly 1644 - 1911

This cushion cover of unknown date was made by Manchu artisans, and presents a window into the visual culture of imperial China. The dragons, rendered in gold thread against a rich ochre ground, immediately signal power and authority. But the image creates meaning through its broader cultural and historical associations. Dragons in Chinese art are potent symbols of the emperor, embodying cosmic energy, wisdom, and imperial control. The careful arrangement of the dragons, with one centrally placed and others at the corners, likely reflects the rigid hierarchies of the Qing dynasty, dominated by the Manchu. To truly understand this cushion cover, we would need to delve into the history of Chinese art and the social structure of the Qing dynasty. Researching the court's patronage of the arts and the symbolism of dragons in imperial culture would give us further insight. With that knowledge, we can appreciate the meaning of art as something that is contingent on social and institutional context.