Embroidered Red Silk Robe for a Woman

This red silk robe features eight multicoloured embroidered roundels on the front, back, and shoulders. Each of the embroidered roundels contains a swirling pattern of peonies and butterflies, and brightly coloured with synthetic aniline dyes, which were introduced to China from Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. Peonies, the “king of flowers” in Chinese culture, were a popular motif in the Qing Dynasty and could be found on garments, furnishings, paintings, and other material culture. The two butterflies at the center of each roundel may represent a harmonious couple, referred to as the “butterfly lovers” in an ancient Chinese romantic legend

The wide sleeves on this robe have horse-hoof shaped cuffs that mimic those found on dragon robes during the Manchu reign of the Qing Dynasty. The rocks, waves, and standing water motifs found above the hem of this robe also reference the earlier robes of the imperial court. Auspicious symbols, including those from Buddhism, can be found amongst the rocks, including dragons, wan characters, canopies, the flaming wheel of the law, lotus flowers, and the endless knot. This robe was likely worn by a woman on her wedding day, based on the symbols for longevity and lucky red colour of the ground fabric, which symbolizes fertility and love.