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.