RobeQing Dynasty (ca. 1790)ChinaBrocaded silk damask and metallic threadV&A MuseumSummary:&n

Robe

Qing Dynasty (ca. 1790)

China

Brocaded silk damask and metallic thread

V&A Museum

Summary: This robe was made to adorn a statue of the Chinese deity, Guan Di. Guan Di, also known as Guan Yu, was an important General of the Eastern Han and Three Kingdoms era. On this robe we see symbols from the twelve insignia used by royalty (such as the symmetrical fu symbol in the centre of the robe; millet; flames; mountains; axes and pheasants). Since he was considered to be equal to an emperor, it is woven with many of the symbols seen on the emperor’s yellow clothes of the same period.

This robe would have been one of a set of clothes of different colors made for the same statue, to be changed according to seasons.