The Macao Museum of Art and the Palace Museum, in Beijing, are co-organisers of the exhibition “Stately Demeanour: Costumes of Qing Emperors and Empresses from the Collection of the Palace Museum”. It showcases 87 sets of costumes and accessories created respectively for Qing emperors and empresses.

Clothing, food, shelter, and transportation are basic human necessities. Clothing, apart from its original purpose of covering a person, and perhaps protecting them against the cold, also serves as a noticeable element of a nation’s tangible culture.

The displayed apparel of Qing-dynasty emperors and imperial consorts features in its design luxury, splendid fabrics, and exquisite embroidery and motifs. Such items continue to inspire innovation in the country’s traditional ethnic costumes, in modern times.

The Qing dynasty occupied the country’s Central Plains during the Qing’s period of military might. This could explain why the Qing retained the characteristic clothing and adornments of hunting nomads, enabling them easily to ride horses and shoot arrows on horseback, while also absorbing elements from the clothing and culture of the Han people.

The exhibition is divided into five sections according to type of apparel, namely: official costumes; festive costumes; costumes for everyday use; military and travel costumes; and leisure costumes.

The exhibition also showcases paintings of Qing emperors and their imperial consorts, wearing the various types of costume, and giving the viewer a glimpse into life in the court, and the culture behind the clothing system of the Qing dynasty.

The exhibition also showcases paintings of Qing emperors and their imperial consorts, wearing the various types of costume, and giving the viewer a glimpse into life in the court, and the culture behind the clothing system of the Qing dynasty.

The exquisite fabrics, resplendent with embroidery and intricate motifs, offer a definitive visual feast.

The exquisite fabrics, resplendent with embroidery and intricate motifs, offer a definitive visual feast.

Exhibition-goers can gain a better understanding of life in the imperial era, and its costume systems. Visitors can also learn how to appreciate the superb artistry of Chinese traditional crafts and weaving techniques from the Qing dynasty, including brocades, Kesi tapestry, and embroidery. By seeing the elegant style and superb aesthetics applied in the culture of Chinese traditional clothing, visitors can also understand more about the interplay between, and integration of, Manchu and Han cultures.