Panel (Dress Fabric) Possibly 1880 - 1911

This panel, intended for dress fabric, was created in China by an artist from the Manchu people. It features dragons and landscapes embroidered with silk and gold-wrapped thread on a satin ground. The luxurious materials and intricate design speak to the social hierarchy of imperial China, where dress served as a powerful marker of status. Dragons, traditionally associated with the emperor, were potent symbols of authority. The landscapes may reference the emperor's connection to the natural world and his role in maintaining cosmic harmony. Understanding the panel requires attention to the history of the Qing dynasty, which was founded by the Manchu people. Court records, sumptuary laws, and surviving examples of Qing dynasty textiles can help us to better understand how garments reinforced social power, and how the politics of imagery played out in dress. These sources contextualize the dress panel and reveal its significance as more than just beautiful craftsmanship.