Court Robe

Court robe, imperial (?), of embroidered blue silk with nine 5-clawed dragons in gold. In ground loose clouds, bats with double peach and swastika, cranes, and Taoist emblems in shades of blue, green, yellow, lavendar, and the strong purple of 42.8.53. All colors aniline in appearence. Conventional border of straight, slanting stripes; very small tight clouds; shallow area of rolling waves in which appear Buddhist emblems. Olive green appears in border colors. Below border on sleeve a strip of black silk damask lengthened with narrow band of same. Cuffs and collar band of black silk embroidered with body designs. Edging of light blue and gold fret brocade. Robe slit front and back and lined with thin blue diapered silk. Embroidery chiefly in satin stitch. Couched, knot, or loop, and outline stitch also used. Note turquoise tone in blues of body clouds.