Physical description Imperial robe of dark blue silk, embroidered with coloured silks and gilt and silvered paper thread. The design on the upper part is composed of dragons pursuing pearls, amidst flowers, bats and clouds; beneath are sea-waves on which float symbolic objects. Oblong panels of similar design separate this upper part from the skirt, which is decorated with circular medallions of dragons grasping pearls above a border with a similar pattern to that on the body. The sleeves are partly of pleated dark blue silk, with embroidered cuffs. The robe is trimmed with borders of gold brocade. There are six gilt metal buttons. Lined with pale blue silk damask. Place of Origin China (made) Date before 1901 (made) Artist/maker Unknown Materials and Techniques Embroidered silk satin, lined with silk damask Dimensions Length: 140.97 cm, Width: 218.44 cm Object history note Purchased. Registered File number 31783/1901. Note on register: An imperial robe richly embroidered in coloured silks and gold on a dark silk ground. covered with five-clawed dragons of varied size and shape, surrounded by flames, and variegated scrolls of clouds in connection with the usual attributes. bats are flying among the clouds, emblems of happiness; and the intervals are filled in with charming little sprays of scared fruit and flowers, including the peach, the Daoist fruit of life, the celestial bamboo (nandina domestica) the many coloured fungus accompanied by blossoms of the Shui-hsien or 'water fairy' of the Daoist recluse. The sea waves at the base are covered with symbols of rank and riches and emblems of Buddhist and Daoist character, the wheel of the law, with the flaming halo, the sceptre (ruyi) of jade, vases with symbolic contents, jewels and branches of coral etc. Underneath the wave border there is a band of dragons in medallions and on the skirts of the robe a line of nine dragon medallions succeeded by two pairs of large imperial dragons displayed amid the same surroundings as those on the body of the cloak. The ends of the sleeves, of the usual hoof-life outline, are also embroidered with dragons. Descriptive line Imperial robe, embroidered silk satin, China Materials Silk (textile); Silk thread; Paper; Gilt metal; Silvered paper thread Techniques Satin weave; Embroidered; Damask weaving; Brocaded Subjects depicted Wave pattern; Dragons; Clouds; Bats Categories Clothing; Textiles; Embroidery Collection East Asia Collection
Physical description Imperial robe of dark blue silk, embroidered with coloured silks and gilt and silvered paper thread. The design on the upper part is composed of dragons pursuing pearls, amidst flowers, bats and clouds; beneath are sea-waves on which float symbolic objects. Oblong panels of similar design separate this upper part from the skirt, which is decorated with circular medallions of dragons grasping pearls above a border with a similar pattern to that on the body. The sleeves are partly of pleated dark blue silk, with embroidered cuffs. The robe is trimmed with borders of gold brocade. There are six gilt metal buttons. Lined with pale blue silk damask. Place of Origin China (made) Date before 1901 (made) Artist/maker Unknown Materials and Techniques Embroidered silk satin, lined with silk damask Dimensions Length: 140.97 cm, Width: 218.44 cm Object history note Purchased. Registered File number 31783/1901. Note on register: An imperial robe richly embroidered in coloured silks and gold on a dark silk ground. covered with five-clawed dragons of varied size and shape, surrounded by flames, and variegated scrolls of clouds in connection with the usual attributes. bats are flying among the clouds, emblems of happiness; and the intervals are filled in with charming little sprays of scared fruit and flowers, including the peach, the Daoist fruit of life, the celestial bamboo (nandina domestica) the many coloured fungus accompanied by blossoms of the Shui-hsien or 'water fairy' of the Daoist recluse. The sea waves at the base are covered with symbols of rank and riches and emblems of Buddhist and Daoist character, the wheel of the law, with the flaming halo, the sceptre (ruyi) of jade, vases with symbolic contents, jewels and branches of coral etc. Underneath the wave border there is a band of dragons in medallions and on the skirts of the robe a line of nine dragon medallions succeeded by two pairs of large imperial dragons displayed amid the same surroundings as those on the body of the cloak. The ends of the sleeves, of the usual hoof-life outline, are also embroidered with dragons. Descriptive line Imperial robe, embroidered silk satin, China Materials Silk (textile); Silk thread; Paper; Gilt metal; Silvered paper thread Techniques Satin weave; Embroidered; Damask weaving; Brocaded Subjects depicted Wave pattern; Dragons; Clouds; Bats Categories Clothing; Textiles; Embroidery Collection East Asia Collection