Fragment of the outfit - cuffs of robe

Giving fabrics a new function concerned fragments of clothes. An example are small wall hangings made of sewn cuffs of women's clothes. They were often not used for their intended purpose. The sewing of the cuffs into a tapestry suggests that it was intended for the Western market. A characteristic feature of this type of objects is the seam located in the middle and the mirror image of the composition. Their use depended on the buyer's idea. They could be used as napkins or wall hangings. In the 2nd half In the 19th century, collections of oriental fabrics were created in the West, which contributed to the development of research on Chinese textiles and was the reason for many exhibitions and their presence on the antique market. Chinese clothes, Mandarin emblems and various accessories were popular among Western connoisseurs of oriental art. Embroidered fabrics imported to the West were impressive furnishings for both palace interiors and wealthy bourgeois houses. In turn, collectors and researchers were more interested in costumes. They undertook research on symbolism and the technique of making them. The wide sleeves of robes, typical of Han women, were also used by Manchu women for informal everyday attire. The butterfly (hudie) appearing on the object in question is a symbol of grace, happiness (including marital happiness) and love. It was also believed that these creatures contained a human soul, which is why they are often a symbol of transience. Its beautiful appearance is achieved thanks to the variety of embroidery stitches and color shades. It was embroidered in such a way that it sometimes resembled a creature with long, flowing, delicately arranged wings. Flowers, on the other hand, represent feminine sweetness and beauty.