Physical description A brightly coloured kesi silk woven robe decorated with paired deer, longevity characters and meandering peony flowers. At least 22 colours have been identified in the weave of the textile used to tailor the robe, in addition to gold. Place of Origin China (woven) Date 1600 (woven) post 1600 (altered) Artist/maker Unknown Materials and Techniques Silk tapestry (kesi) Dimensions Length: 113 cm, Width: 180 cm Object history note Registered File number 1985/1533. 'taken apart for conservation in the 1980s' (Wilson, Chinese Textiles, p. 76) Descriptive line Tex, China, tapestry weave (kesi), textile 17th century, tailored later. Seen by WYR 11 pieces; Tex, China, tapestry weave (kesi) Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no) Wilson, Verity, Chinese Textiles, London: V&A Publications, 2005, pp. 77 & 104, fig. 85 & 116 Production Note The material was woven circa 1600, and tailored or altered later. Materials Silk; Metal thread Techniques Tapestry Subjects depicted Deer; Cranes; Peonies Categories Textiles; Men's clothes; Tapestry Collection East Asia Collection This silk tapestry of bright colours and bold patterns was woven probably around 1600. The front and back of the robe indicate that the textile was consciously woven to be tailored later as a garment. The various symbols used indicate that this textile might have been associated with a birthday. The Chinese word for deer is ‘lu’, and the deer becomes a symbol of rank and remuneration which are also signified by ‘lu’. The peony motif signifies wealth and distinction, while the crane and the longevity (‘shou’) characters are emblems of good wishes for a long life. This robe is the earliest datable whole garment in the V&A's collection of Chinese textiles.
Physical description A brightly coloured kesi silk woven robe decorated with paired deer, longevity characters and meandering peony flowers. At least 22 colours have been identified in the weave of the textile used to tailor the robe, in addition to gold. Place of Origin China (woven) Date 1600 (woven) post 1600 (altered) Artist/maker Unknown Materials and Techniques Silk tapestry (kesi) Dimensions Length: 113 cm, Width: 180 cm Object history note Registered File number 1985/1533. 'taken apart for conservation in the 1980s' (Wilson, Chinese Textiles, p. 76) Descriptive line Tex, China, tapestry weave (kesi), textile 17th century, tailored later. Seen by WYR 11 pieces; Tex, China, tapestry weave (kesi) Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no) Wilson, Verity, Chinese Textiles, London: V&A Publications, 2005, pp. 77 & 104, fig. 85 & 116 Production Note The material was woven circa 1600, and tailored or altered later. Materials Silk; Metal thread Techniques Tapestry Subjects depicted Deer; Cranes; Peonies Categories Textiles; Men's clothes; Tapestry Collection East Asia Collection This silk tapestry of bright colours and bold patterns was woven probably around 1600. The front and back of the robe indicate that the textile was consciously woven to be tailored later as a garment. The various symbols used indicate that this textile might have been associated with a birthday. The Chinese word for deer is ‘lu’, and the deer becomes a symbol of rank and remuneration which are also signified by ‘lu’. The peony motif signifies wealth and distinction, while the crane and the longevity (‘shou’) characters are emblems of good wishes for a long life. This robe is the earliest datable whole garment in the V&A's collection of Chinese textiles.