清代补服一件，清代凡装饰有“补子”的官服，称為补服，也称為“补褂”。前后各缀有一块补子，其袖端平，对襟，所以又名“外褂”、在清代官服中是穿用场合最多，时间最长的一种，清代皇家宗室的补服和补子，均是由南京、苏州、杭州即江南三织造订做进贡的，用料讲究，做工精良，尺寸、图案都有严格规定，官员不能私自改变身上与其品级相对应的官服。此件补服保留原有状态，按品级缝补上相对应的禽鸟与走兽，保存完好。Qing Dynasty, Surcoat of a civil official from the Chinese Imperial Court (Bufu), Qing Dynasty civil officials had to follow strict and standardised code of dress as the ruling Manchurian elite sought to make their mark in cultural and social hierarchy, with each rank and position having their own regulations over the colour, dimensions, quality of workmanship, materials and embellishments of the garments. The front-opening specimen present here is in the typical black colour of the Qing Imperial Court woven in pure silk, featuring a Mandarin Square embroidered with the tradtional symbols of imperial authority at the front and back serving as a rank badge, and gilt-metal buttons which goes through loops for a secure fit. A rare item which offers a glimpse of the the imperial era of Machurian rule in the Forbidden City
