The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 16, 2024

Woman's Bridal Dress, Tabard

Woman's Bridal Dress, Tabard

1800s
Overall: 111.8 x 73.7 cm (44 x 29 in.)
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

A rank badge applied on the front and back shows that the bride married a man of high official rank.

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.
  • ?–2005
    Elizabeth Wade Sedgwick [1913–2013], Lexington, MA, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2005–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=Woman's Bridal Dress, Tabard|url=false|author=|year=1800s|access-date=16 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2005.135.3