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Artist/Maker
Unknown artist, Chinese
Datec. 1821
MediumSilk and gold thread
DimensionsOverall (Opened): 55 × 92 in. (139.7 × 233.7 cm)
Overall (Buttoned): 55 × 47 × 20 in. (139.7 × 119.4 × 50.8 cm)
Credit LineGift of Ashley and Alphonso B. Walrath, Class of 1926
Object numberINV.431
On view
DescriptionThe Qing dynasty (1644–1912) was the final Manchu-led dynasty in the history of imperial China. Beginning in 1759 court law mandated that the Chinese emperor must wear robes that feature the twelve symbols of authority: the sun, moon, constellations, mountains, dragons, birds, ritual cups, water weeds, grain, fire, an ax, and the character fu (福). The law also dictated what kinds of garments were permitted to be worn by members of the royal court. This blue imperial robe features nine five-clawed dragons and would likely have been worn by a high-ranking official or imperial prince at the height of the Qing dynasty. Although minor princes and noblemen were permitted to wear blue robes—and medium-ranking officials were allowed to wear robes with eight four-clawed dragons—only high-ranking officials and princes were permitted to wear blue robes with nine five-clawed dragons. This robe also features a hidden dragon, revealed on a panel of fabric visible only when the garment is unfastened.
Additional Details
Exhibition History
2024-2025
Clinton, NY. The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College. "Menagerie: Animals in Art from the Wellin Museum," September 7, 2024 –June 8, 2025 (no cat.).
2012
Clinton, NY. Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College. "Archive Hall: Art and Artifacts," October 6, 2012 - Present (no cat.).
2011
Clinton, NY. Fred L. Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College. "Learning to Look: Hamilton's Cabinets, Galleries and Museums Past, Present and Future," September 15 - December 16, 2011 (no cat.).
Clinton, NY. The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College. "Menagerie: Animals in Art from the Wellin Museum," September 7, 2024 –June 8, 2025 (no cat.).
2012
Clinton, NY. Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College. "Archive Hall: Art and Artifacts," October 6, 2012 - Present (no cat.).
2011
Clinton, NY. Fred L. Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College. "Learning to Look: Hamilton's Cabinets, Galleries and Museums Past, Present and Future," September 15 - December 16, 2011 (no cat.).
Provenance
1979: Hamilton College, by gift of Ashley (Heacock) and Alphonso B. Walrath;
by 1934 - 1979: Ashley (Heacock) Walrath, by inheritance or gift from Grosvenor W. Heacock;
by 1928: Grosvenor W. Heacock, by inheritance or gift of Seth G. Heacock.
by 1934 - 1979: Ashley (Heacock) Walrath, by inheritance or gift from Grosvenor W. Heacock;
by 1928: Grosvenor W. Heacock, by inheritance or gift of Seth G. Heacock.
Unknown artist, Chinese
Date: c. 960-1126 CE
Medium: Stoneware with qingbai glaze
Object number: 1993.12.1a
Unknown artist, Chinese
Date: c. 960-1126 CE
Medium: Stoneware with qingbai glaze
Object number: 1993.12.2a
Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka
Date: 2021
Medium: Sumi paintings on washi, linocut on washi, rice bags, indigo, kakishibu, and gyotaku on washi, konnyaku, and handmade deckle box gampi paper
Object number: 2024.15
Fitzgerald C. Peploe
Date: 1903
Medium: Bronze
Object number: 19XX.8
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Date: 1845-46
Medium: Woodblock print
Object number: 2018.8.2
Fratelli Alinari Fotografi Editori
Date: 1875-1900
Medium: Albumen print
Object number: S2018.2.173
Fratelli Alinari Fotografi Editori
Date: 1875-1900
Medium: Albumen print
Object number: S2018.2.174
Fratelli Alinari Fotografi Editori
Date: 1875-1900
Medium: Albumen print
Object number: S2018.2.175
Date: c. 883-859 BCE
Medium: Gypsum with remnants of red pigment
Object number: 1868.5
Date: early 19th century
Medium: Gouache and gold over white ground on paper
Object number: 1986.26
Dr. Ronald V. Wiedenhoeft
Date: 1970-1980
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: S2018.2.89