Qing Dynasty. 18^th-19^th centuries

China National Silk Museum, Hangzhou

Inv. No. 1115

L138cm, W124cm

The distinctive costume worn by Manchurian women or female descendants of the Eight Banner Garrisons of the Manchu Empire are generally referred to as Manchurian dress or qi-pao. Prominent on this dress is a full-length flowering hibiscus embroidered on a base of 2:1 twill. There is a slit on each side that goes all the way from the hem to the armpit and finished with a mushroom-shaped ruyi design. Black borders are used for the collar, along the front panel and hemline and cuffs, part of which are also embroidered. An extended section at the cuff reveals a distinctive feature of woman’s costumes of the Qing Dynasty. (XY)