Exhibited in this on-line resource are highlights of the San Diego Museum of Art’s collection of Chinese textiles. The magnificent robes and accessories featured here, made from rich silk, intricate embroidery, and other exquisite materials, were created for the royal courts of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Because of their fragility, these robes are seldom on display--most were last viewed in a special exhibition at the museum in 1990.

During the Qing dynasty, a complex system of clothing styles and decorative motifs was developed. Qing dynasty fashion reflected the dual influences of the nomadic Manchu conquerors and the sophisticated Han Chinese. This on-line exhibition provides a greater understanding of these objects in their historical context and a brief introduction to the rich symbolism of Chinese design. The dragon robes are not only beautiful objects, but also meaningful expressions of a Chinese worldview.

The textile industry was in full flower when the Manchus conquered China in the middle of the 17^th century. The Manchus’ exploitation of fine Chinese silks, embroidery, and decorative motifs on robes of their own design was probably the Manchus’ greatest contribution to the long history of Chinese art. These dazzling robes, born of Chinese elegance and nomadic practicality, are among the last artistic legacies of dynastic China.