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In the middle of the 17th century, nomadic tribes from the north were organized under the strong leadership of the Manchus. Together, they overran China, seized the imperial throne, and officially established the Qing dynasty in 1644.

The Manchus had previously occupied the forests and plains of northeastern China, and had survived in this cold climate by hunting and herding. Like the Mongols, they were feared warriors who periodically swept down into the farming lands to the south that had been settled by the Han Chinese.

Once in power, the Qing emperors initiated reforms in official court dress to reflect the traditions of the Manchu people. The impractical, voluminous robes of the Ming dynasty court were rejected in favor of more efficient garments resembling the traditional riding coats of Manchu hunters and herdsmen. These once simple garments, originally made of animal skin or rough fiber, were transformed into magnificent costumes seen through the use of rich Chinese silks, the employment of the expert craftsmanship, and the incorporation of traditional Chinese ornamentation.

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