Physical description
Imperial robe of silk tapestry (kesi), woven in shades of blue and white, on a ground of gold thread and yellow silk; some of the details have been executed with the brush.
The decoration consists of five-clawed dragons pursuing flaming jewels amid clouds, the interspaces being filled in with shou (longevity) characters, bats, and the Eight Buddhist Emblems (bajixiang). The lower border and sleeves are encircled with a striped pattern culminating in waves on which are floating symbols of rank and riches, including the ruyi-sceptre with jewels and cash, and emblems of the four liberal arts: calligraphy, painting, music and chess, all bound with fillets.
Place of Origin
China (made)
Date
before 1901 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown
Materials and Techniques
Silk tapestry (kesi), painted
Dimensions
Length: 139.7 cm, Width: 209.55 cm including sleeves
Object history note
Purchased. Registered File number 31783/1901.
Note on register:
Robe of woven silk brocade (kesi) executed in diverse shades of blue relieved by a light buff ground traversed by threads of gold. The decoration consists of five-clawed dragons of bold design pursuing pearls in the midst of scrolling clouds, the cloud interspaces being filled in with longevity (shou) characters and bats of felicity and with the eight symbols of good fortune (pa chi-hsiang) of Buddhist lore. The sleeves and lower border are encircled with the usual striped pattern culminating in waves on which are floating symbols of rank and riches- the ruyi sceptre with jewels, the 'cash' etc.- and the emblems of the four liberal arts: calligraphy, painting, music and chess, all bound with fillets. These finer details of the designs are often filled in with brush-work.
Descriptive line
Imperial robe, silk tapestry (kesi) with painted details, China
Materials
Silk (textile)
Techniques
Painted; Tapestry
Subjects depicted
Chinese characters; Emblems (symbols); Dragons; Ruyi; Bats (animals)
Categories
Clothing; Textiles
Collection
East Asia Collection