Jacket for a Theatrical Costume

18th century

Not on view

Three of these exquisite jackets are known to exist: two are in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum and a third is in the Qing court collection of theatrical costumes of the Palace Museum, Beijing. All three have the same delicate floral pattern and identical seals and inscriptions on their linings.

The jackets were made in the textile bureau in Suzhou as tribute objects for the imperial court. They were part of an ensemble, perhaps with a skirt or other garment, and they were worn for performances by the Jingshan theatrical troupe in the Changchun Palace, within the Forbidden City.

Artwork Details

Title: Jacket for a Theatrical Costume
Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 18th century
Culture: China
Medium: Silk embroidery on silk satin damask; bands: silk and metallic-thread embroidery on silk satin
Dimensions: 30 1/2 x 51 1/2 in. (77.5 x 130.8 cm)
Classification: Costumes-Embroidered
Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David M. Levitt, by exchange, 1978
Object Number: 1978.257
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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