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2005.5.71 - Brown Silk Informal Robe for a Woman

Mactaggart Art Collection Read more about this collection »

Object Typerobe Artistunknown Date Made1875-1908

Item Details

Object Typerobe Artistunknown Date Made1875-1908
Accession Number 2005.5.71 Title Brown Silk Informal Robe for a Woman Alternate Title Changyi, or informal court lined robe, for a woman, semi-formal style Category clothing Object Type robe Artist unknown Date Made 1875-1908 Place Made China Culture Chinese Period Qing 19th-20th centuries Materials brown silk twill embroidered with silk Materials Glossary Embroidery View Materials Glossary Details » Measurements overall: 137.9 cm x 147 cm; neck to hem: 137.9 cm; cuff to cuff: x 147 cm Description
A brown silk twill robe embroidered with many multi-coloured butterflies, rendered in smooth satin stitches of multi-coloured silk floss. Wide sleeves end in a faux folded cuff exposing a white silk sleeve lining…
A brown silk twill robe embroidered with many multi-coloured butterflies, rendered in smooth satin stitches of multi-coloured silk floss. Wide sleeves end in a faux folded cuff exposing a white silk sleeve lining embroidered with a blue floral motif. The cuffs, neckline, and two side vents are edged with black silk twill trim embroidered with a blue floral motif. These trims are also accompanied by commercial silk ribbons with geometric designs. Ruyi, an auspicious wish-granting symbol, sit atop either side vent and are further accentuated by the aforementioned commercial ribbons. The robe is lined with a bright blue silk damask with a floral pattern. This type of robe, referred to as a changyi, is a type of informal garment for a Manchu woman. This garment, with long side slits, would have been worn over a full-length underdress to preserve modesty. The "one hundred" butterflies motif was especially popular among older women, as the homophonous translation of "butterflies" (蝴蝶 or húdié) means 80 or 90 years old and represents longevity.
Credit Line Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart
© 2020 University of Alberta
© 2020 University of Alberta
© 2020 University of Alberta

Citation

Page Citation for 2005.5.71 - Brown Silk Informal Robe for a Woman

Page Citation

"2005.5.71 - Brown Silk Informal Robe for a Woman, Mactaggart Art Collection." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/21-19293. Accessed 04 May. 2024.

Publications

Author Vollmer, John and Jacqueline Simcox
Title Emblems of Empire: Selections from the Mactaggart Art Collection
Publication Date 2009