Robe thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Robe

1900-1930 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This man's grey robe has sprays of blossom and bamboo across it. The motifs appear dark against a paler ground because they are formed by the dense, cut pile of the velvet. It is fastened with fabric knot buttons which pass through loops. Inside the robe, at the top of the section hidden beneath the overlap, there is a patch pocket of matching velvet. This is a 20th-century feature, copied from Western tailoring.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cut silk velvet on a satin weave ground
Brief description
Man's robe, cut silk velvet on a satin weave ground, China, 1900-1930, Qing dynasty-Republic.
Physical description
Man's robe (changpao) in grey silk cut velvet with an all-over pattern of flower and bamboo sprays in cut pile against a satin weave ground. The stand-up collar was woven to shape and has a design of bats, swastikas, and a 'shou' character, also in cut velvet against a satin weave ground. Right side fastening with five black silk loop-and-knot buttons. The garment is full length with long and tight sleeves, a high straight collar (c.10cm), and high slits at sides. A pocket of velvet, matching the main garment body, is sewn onto the inner flap. The robe's lining is of a light blue plain weave silk and the garment is lightly wadded. The sleeve ends, collar, neck and side fastening flap are all edged with black satin piping.
There is a small cardboard tag shop label attached to the top loop.
Dimensions
  • Including collar length: 145cm
  • Across sleeves width: 204cm
Styles
Marks and inscriptions
(Cardboard tag shop label attached to the top loop)
Translation
Tianmen Branch of the Special Crafts Co. Item No. 3047 Shanzi=Robe 46 Yuan
Gallery label
This man's robe is made from silk velvet. A short front-fastening jacket, Western-style trilby hat and trousers with turn-ups were frequently worn with this type before 1949. 1900-1930, Qing dynasty-Republic(1991)
Credit line
Addis Bequest
Object history
Registered File number 1965/3344.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This man's grey robe has sprays of blossom and bamboo across it. The motifs appear dark against a paler ground because they are formed by the dense, cut pile of the velvet. It is fastened with fabric knot buttons which pass through loops. Inside the robe, at the top of the section hidden beneath the overlap, there is a patch pocket of matching velvet. This is a 20th-century feature, copied from Western tailoring.
Bibliographic references
  • Wilson, Verity. "A Diplomat's Collection: The Chinese Textiles of Sir John Addis." Arts of Asia. 2003, vol. 33, no. 2. pp. 90-101; plate 23, page 99.
  • Wilson, Verity. "Identifying Women's Things in the T. T. Tsui Gallery." Orientations. July, 1991, p. 36.
  • Kerr, Rose, ed. T. T. Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art.. London: V&A Publications, 1991, p.133. ISBN 1851770178
Collection
Accession number
FE.126-1983

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Record createdFebruary 12, 2000
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