Imperial Manchu woman’s semiformal court robe with twelve symbols of sovereignty, c. 1875. Silk and metal thread embroidery on silk. length: 53 in, 134.62 cm; width: 70 in, 177.8 cm. Neusteter Textile Collection: Gift of Nancy Lake Benson and Bruce Benson, 1986.157 © Denver Art Museum

The twelve symbols of ancient imperial authority, arranged in three tiers of four--at the neck opening, waist and knees--express the emperor’s imperial authority and qualities as well as his responsibilities to the people he ruled. Originally only the emperor could use the twelve symbols. By the 19th century, however, they also appeared on the robes of the empress, dowager empress and the heir apparent. This robe’s bright yellow ground identifies it as being made for a member of the imperial family. Bats carrying peaches fly near the gold wanshou character, a favorite motif of the Dowager Empress Cixi, wishing the wearer happiness and a long life of ten thousand years. Amid the waves are the Eight Buddhist Precious Things.