清乾隆末/嘉慶初 黃地繡彩雲金龍紋十二章龍袍來源:法國私人珍藏,於1900年代購自法國藝術品市場,現家族傳承Hauteur: 137 cm. (53 7/8 in.), Largeur: 210 cm. (82 5/8 in.)
Acquired in the early 1900s on the French art market, thence by descent in the family.
The Twelve Ancient Symbols of Imperial Authority first appeared on the Manchu emperor's clothing after 1759. The Huangchao liqi tushi (Illustrated Precedents for the Ritual Paraphernalia of the Imperial Court), which was enforced in 1766, restricted the use of the Twelve Symbols to the Emperor. The symbols imply the notion of Imperial authority, signifying that the Emperor is the Ruler of the Universe. In the Qing dynasty, the first four symbols- sun, moon, stars, and mountain-were placed at the shoulders, chest and mid-back; the symbol of distinction (fu), hatchet, paired dragons, and the golden pheasant appeared at waist level; and temple-cups, aquatic grass, grains of millet, and flames were placed at knee level on the skirts of the coat.