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

Robe

late 17th century-18th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This robe may be the earliest non-ecclesiastical Chinese garment for a woman in the Museum. It is made from a rich red silk that has horizontal bands of fruiting pomegranates in gauze weave running across the fabric at widely spaced intervals. Over this, there is shiny embroidered decoration of fruits, flowers, birds and mythical beasts.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Embroidery on gauze-banded plain weave silk
Brief description
Woman's robe, embroidery on gauze-banded plain weave silk, China, Qing dynasty, late 17th-18th century.
Physical description
This red embroidered woman's robe is made from a rich red silk and features horizontal bands of fruiting pomegranates in gauze weave running across the fabric at widely-spaced intervals. The design is embroidered in very soft floss silk and gold-wrapped thread.
Lady's robe, embroidered with phoenix, peacocks, branches of peaches, pomegranate, cranes, horse dragons etc. Embroidered in white, yellow, pink, green and blue silks and gold thread in satin and Peking stitches and couched work on red silk. Collar and cuffs of black satin embroidered with a flower trail worked in satin stitch with blue and white silks. Additional cuffs of white gauze embroidered with design of flowers and fish in blue, red, pink, green and yellow silks in satin stitch. Lined with blue figured silk.
Dimensions
  • Height: 122cm
  • Width: 124cm
Style
Credit line
Purchased with Art Fund support
Object history
Registered File number 1947/374. From the collection of Bernard Vuilleumier.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This robe may be the earliest non-ecclesiastical Chinese garment for a woman in the Museum. It is made from a rich red silk that has horizontal bands of fruiting pomegranates in gauze weave running across the fabric at widely spaced intervals. Over this, there is shiny embroidered decoration of fruits, flowers, birds and mythical beasts.
Collection
Accession number
T.184-1948

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Record createdDecember 16, 2002
Record URL
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