220 cm. （86 5/8 in.） long

A strictly prescribed code existed for the use of colours, symbols and styles in court attire during the Qing dynasty and the respective ranks of individual members of the court could be immediately identified by the imagery and colour of their robes. The dark -brown colour of the silk satin ground of the present robe was reserved specifically for Imperial Princes and other nobles as noted by G. Dickenson and L. Wrigglesworth in Imperial Wardrobe, California, 2000, p. 161-162, where the authors note that, “the manuscript based on Huangchao liqi tushi appears to have given members of the imperial family the choice of either blue or brown court robes”.

The present robe stands out for its extraordinary original condition and colour, with the auspicious Buddhist symbols, nine gold-thread embroidered five-clawed dragons contrasting with the wonderfully preserved rich brown ground. Parallel sets of wave bands form the lishui （standing water） border which rises from the hemline, also retaining the extraordinarily vivid original colours.

Price estimate:
HKD: 280, 000 - 320, 000
USD: 35, 900 - 41, 000

Auction Result:
HKD: --