Woman's Bridal Dress, Tabard

Description

This three-piece bridal dress includes a dragon jacket, pleated skirt, and tabard, a short loose-fitting sleeveless vest. The ensemble reveals the high rank of her husband even though it did not fall under the scope of the Qing Dynasty sumptuary laws.

The three-quarter-length sleeveless tabard completes the outfit, with a front closure, open sides secured by cloth bands, and a colorful tasseled fringe around the hem. Dragons, water, and clouds are embroidered on the silk ground.

Provenance

Elizabeth Wade Sedgwick [1913–2013], Lexington, MA, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?–2005); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (2005–)

Woman's Bridal Dress, Tabard

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1800s

Accession Number

2005.135.3

Medium

Silk, gilt-metal thread; embroidery

Dimensions

Overall: 111.8 x 73.7 cm (44 x 29 in.)

Classification

Garment

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Elizabeth Wade Sedgwick