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2005.5.323 - Red Silk Tapestry Weave Informal Robe for a Woman

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Object Typerobe Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown

Item Details

Object Typerobe Artistunknown Date Madedate unknown
Accession Number 2005.5.323 Title Red Silk Tapestry Weave Informal Robe for a Woman Category clothing Object Type robe Artist unknown Date Made date unknown Place Made China Culture Chinese Period Qing 19th century Materials red silk and metal-wrapped thread tapestry weave Materials Glossary Tapestry Weave View Materials Glossary Details » Measurements overall: 134.5 cm x 186 cm; neck to hem: 134.5 cm; cuff to cuff: x 186 cm Description
A red tapestry weave robe with many gold and silver butterflies throughout. The cuffs, neckline, and two side vents are edged with black tapestry weave borders with a similar butterfly motif. These borders are also…
A red tapestry weave robe with many gold and silver butterflies throughout. The cuffs, neckline, and two side vents are edged with black tapestry weave borders with a similar butterfly motif. These borders are also edged by a narrow gold metal-wrapped thread and silk floss geometric brocade trim that has a repeating wan symbol (similar to the swastika in form, but not ideology), which has an auspicious meaning of “infinity” or “eternity”. 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 light yellow plain weave silk. This type of informal robe with wide sleeves and side slits, referred to as a changyi, is a type of informal garment for a Manchu woman. The "one hundred" butterflies motif was especially popular among older women, as the homophonous translation of "butterflies" (蝶) 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

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"2005.5.323 - Red Silk Tapestry Weave Informal Robe for a Woman, Mactaggart Art Collection." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/21-19545. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.