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Accession Number 2005.5.107 Title Blue Silk Brocade Tibetan Chuba Alternate Title Chuba, or robe for an aristocratic man Category clothing Object Type robe Artist unknown Date Made 1736-1750 Place Made Tibet Culture Tibetan Period 18th century Materials dark blue silk satin damask with silk and metal-wrapped thread brocaded roundels Materials Glossary Brocade; Damask View Materials Glossary Details » View Materials Glossary Details » Measurements overall: 142.4 cm x 183.9 cm; neck to hem: 142.4 cm; cuff to cuff: x 183.9 cm Description

This dark blue robe features eight dragon roundels on the shoulders, chest, back and below the waist. Each roundel is brocade fabric with a gold dragon surrounded by clouds, rocks and waves. The dark-blue background…

This dark blue robe features eight dragon roundels on the shoulders, chest, back and below the waist. Each roundel is brocade fabric with a gold dragon surrounded by clouds, rocks and waves. The dark-blue background material provides striking contrast for the gold roundels.

The dragon roundels may appear to be identical, but upon further observation we can see there are four front-facing dragons on the top (including the chest, back, and shoulders) and four side-facing dragons on the lower section. The ground fabric, a dark blue satin damask, is covered in small dragon roundels and delicate cloud patterns. All the patterns on the fabric, including the brocade and damask, were woven in one piece.

Read More + Credit Line Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart