Semi-formal mandarin dress in gold silk on a blue background decorated with gold dragons with four claws, China, late 19th century The dress features Manchu-style "horse's hoof" sleeves, closed on the right side by five buttons, and slit on the sides. The bottom of the dress shows the classic waves of the ocean from which the rocks of the earth emerge, while the blue background represents the sky with flaming pearls. The front and back feature the triad of the frontal dragon and two dragons in profile, butterflies, the eight precious objects, the eight Taoist attributes, cranes, bats, flowers and fruit. A frontal dragon adorns each shoulder and the inner flap of the robe. The collar and lower sleeves are adorned with small dragons between waves and clouds in pursuit of the sacred pearl. Height: 130 cm; build: 215 cm Old restorations, probably lengthened.