Physical description Marriage robe of silk tapestry (kesi). Swastika pattern in gold on a mauve ground; lotus plants with pink flowers and marriage symbols-twofold joy- in red scattered over the ground. Kesi border round neck, side openings, hem and sleeves of a similar design on a black ground. The border is edged, on the outer side, with a black and gold thread tissue of swastika pattern; on the inner side by a narrow ribbon with a design of dragons on a gold ground. The sleeves are straight and loose. The robe is lined with yellow silk. Place of Origin China (made) Date 19th century (made) Artist/maker Unknown Materials and Techniques Silk tapestry (kesi) with silk lining Dimensions Length: 140 cm, Width: 205 cm Object history note Registered File number 1947/374. From the collection of Bernard Vuilleumier. Descriptive line Marriage robe, silk tapestry (kesi) with yellow silk lining, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century. Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no) Verity Wilson, Chinese Dress (V&A, 1986). Colour photograph on p.102, detail p.103. See T.278-1910 for more information. Verity Wilson, Identifying Womens' Things in the T.T. Tsui Gallery, Orientations, July 1991. Photo, p.36 Materials Silk Subjects depicted Lotus flowers Categories Women's clothes; Marriage Collection East Asia Collection This lotus-decorated robe made for a woman might have been worn for a wedding. The red Chinese characters in between the flowers mean 'double happiness', a suitable decoration for a marriage garment. The robe is tapestry woven in silk, a technique that exploits picture-making possibilities, just as the great wool tapestries of Europe have done.
Physical description Marriage robe of silk tapestry (kesi). Swastika pattern in gold on a mauve ground; lotus plants with pink flowers and marriage symbols-twofold joy- in red scattered over the ground. Kesi border round neck, side openings, hem and sleeves of a similar design on a black ground. The border is edged, on the outer side, with a black and gold thread tissue of swastika pattern; on the inner side by a narrow ribbon with a design of dragons on a gold ground. The sleeves are straight and loose. The robe is lined with yellow silk. Place of Origin China (made) Date 19th century (made) Artist/maker Unknown Materials and Techniques Silk tapestry (kesi) with silk lining Dimensions Length: 140 cm, Width: 205 cm Object history note Registered File number 1947/374. From the collection of Bernard Vuilleumier. Descriptive line Marriage robe, silk tapestry (kesi) with yellow silk lining, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century. Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no) Verity Wilson, Chinese Dress (V&A, 1986). Colour photograph on p.102, detail p.103. See T.278-1910 for more information. Verity Wilson, Identifying Womens' Things in the T.T. Tsui Gallery, Orientations, July 1991. Photo, p.36 Materials Silk Subjects depicted Lotus flowers Categories Women's clothes; Marriage Collection East Asia Collection This lotus-decorated robe made for a woman might have been worn for a wedding. The red Chinese characters in between the flowers mean 'double happiness', a suitable decoration for a marriage garment. The robe is tapestry woven in silk, a technique that exploits picture-making possibilities, just as the great wool tapestries of Europe have done.