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

Robe

early 18th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This robe is unlike the other Chinese women's garments in the Museum, but we know from 18th-century pictorial sources that it was very fashionable at the time. It is front-fastening, whereas many other robes fasten to one side. Its decoration was undertaken on the loom as weaving techniques advanced, rather than being added later in the form of embroidery. The particular layout of the dragon motifs also marks it out from other garments in the V&A's collection.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Woven silk with supplementary weft patterning
Brief description
Woman's robe, woven silk with supplementary weft patterning, China, Qing dynasty, early 18th century.
Physical description
Woman's robe of weft-pattern woven silk. Design of sky, earth and water, 9 large five-clawed dragons pursuing and clasping the sacred discs among clouds; in green, blue, red, yellow and brown silks and gold thread. Lined with pink figured silk.
Dimensions
  • Length: 145cm
  • Width: 172cm
Style
Credit line
Purchased with Art Fund support
Object history
Registered File number 1947/374. From the collection of Bernard Vuilleumier.
Subject depicted
Summary
This robe is unlike the other Chinese women's garments in the Museum, but we know from 18th-century pictorial sources that it was very fashionable at the time. It is front-fastening, whereas many other robes fasten to one side. Its decoration was undertaken on the loom as weaving techniques advanced, rather than being added later in the form of embroidery. The particular layout of the dragon motifs also marks it out from other garments in the V&A's collection.
Collection
Accession number
T.187-1948

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Record createdJanuary 29, 2003
Record URL
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