Manchu Woman's Unofficial Informal Robe, 19th century
Unknown artist, Chinaexpand_more
Embroidered silk gauzeexpand_more
The John R. Van Derlip Fundexpand_more 42.8.102
Not on Viewexpand_more
Designed for a young woman, this robe features a yellow scheme composed of a grid pattern with a scattered design of blue peonies against a white ground. The cuffs are embroidered with a multicolored peony scroll pattern, while the front, side, and cuff bands are embroidered with seasonal flowers, including grass orchid, peony, and plum, with bats and cicadas against a black ground. The yellow grid pattern features swastikas, a symbol adopted by Germany’s Nazi (National Socialist) party in 1920. In this example, however, many years before that negative association, the symbol creates a pun of sorts. Pronounced “wan” in Chinese, it sounds like “ten thousand.” The swastika ground can be seen as a multiplier of the wealth and honor represented by the flowers times ten thousand.
Details
- Title
- Manchu Woman's Unofficial Informal Robe
- Role
- Artist
- Dimension
- L.54-3/4 x W.51-1/4 in.
- Accession Number
- 42.8.102
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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