A 4th Rank Imperial Chinese Mandarin official's padded winter Surcoat Pufu.
The padded dark blue silk ground applied on the front and back with a multi colored silk satin stitched rank badge (buzi) of a goose in a cosmic landscape setting, with the sun, ruyi-form clouds, bats, 'auspicious objects' and rocky outcroppings above a miniature lishui stripe. 47 in. (119.4 cm.) long. The surcoat, pufu, was worn over the dragon robe, jifu, when attending official functions and in the presence of the emperor. Provenance: Christie's lot # 33, 2004.