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Chinese

Robe, 1800s

Description

Maker

  • Unknown

Culture

Chinese

Title

Robe

Year

1800s

Medium

Silk; tapestry weave (ko'ssu), painted

Materials/Techniques

Materials

  • silk

Dimensions

Center back length: 142.9 cm (56 1/4 inches)

Type

  • Fashion,
  • Costume

Credit

Gift of Miss Elizabeth Casey

Object Number

1989.037.4

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Queen of the Insects

December 11, 2009 - May 9, 2010

Constructed with a tapestry technique known as ko’ssu, these silk robes embody the extreme femininity and fragility of the butterfly. The butterfly is known as the “Queen of the Insects” in Chinese myth, while the peony, decorating the robe on the right side of this case, is associated with masculinity and called the “King of the Flowers.” Also emblematic of spring, the peony represents love and affection, and is often paired with the butterfly. Note that on both robes the butterfly image is repeated in the main part of the robe and in the bands and ribbon decorating its edges.

Of Peonies and Dragon's Toes

June 24 - September 13, 1998

Use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use. This object is in the public domain (CC0 1.0). This object is Robe with the accession number of 1989.037.4. To request high-resolution files or new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.

Feedback

We view our online collection as a living documents, and our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you have additional information or have spotted an error, please send feedback to curatorial@risd.edu.

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