Robe
ca. 1600 (woven), post 1600 (altered)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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.
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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Silk tapestry (<i>kesi</i>) |
| Brief description | Robe, tapestry-weave silk (kesi) with gold thread, China, about 1600 |
| 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. |
| Dimensions |
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| Content description | Long life characters are included in the design of the woven textile. |
| Styles | |
| Credit line | Purchased with a grant donated by Lady Garner |
| Object history | Registered File number 1985/1533. 'taken apart for conservation in the 1980s' (Wilson, Chinese Textiles, p. 76) |
| Production | The material was woven circa 1600, and tailored or altered later. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | 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. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.41:1,2-1985 |
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| Record created | February 16, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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