This is a dragon robe, made to be worn by a man, and woven in <i>sanlan</i> (Three Blue) shades in the <i>kesi</i> method of tapestry weaving. Some of the Twelve Imperial Insignia are woven in (suggesting an exclusive association with the Emperor), interspersed with peaches and bats.
Although the Twelve Imperial Insignia were restricted solely for the use of the Emperor and Emperess, we do not know if this robe was ever worn by one. The robe, particularly the sleeves, may have been altered at a much more later period, and the stretch of blue silk joining the main body of the robe with the sleeve cuffs may be a more modern piece of textile, as it is different from the texture normally found on Chinese dragon robes.