Manchu Woman’s Informal Summer Court Robe

Culture: Chinese
Dynasty: Qing dynasty, 1644–1911
Period: possibly Jiaqing period, 1796–1820
Period: possibly Daoguang period, 1820–1850
Date: early 19th century
Material: Embroidered and brocaded silk with silk and metallic threads
from: China, Asia
Classification: Costume & clothing, textiles
Collection: Asian Art
Current Location: Not on view
Dimensions: length: 56 in. (142.2 cm)
Credit Line: William K. Bixby Trust for Asian Art
Rights: Public Domain
Object Number: 975:1920

NOTES

This lightweight robe-the least formal type of official attire women could wear at the palace-displays imperial imagery at the water-patterned hem. On the apricot-colored ground are eight multicolored medallions containing baskets of cymbidium orchids and crab apple blossoms; the scattered scheme has cut floral and melon sprays. The very deep blue ground on the neck band, sleeve bands, and cuffs is decorated with floral baskets and sprays. The flower basket is one of the "Eight Precious Things" among the "Hundred Antiques" of Daoist symbolism. Cymbidiums stand for friendship and grandsons. The melon's seeds symbolize fertility and hope for numerous male progeny.

Provenance

- 1920
Unknown dealer

1920 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from unknown dealer, through William K. Bixby (1857–1931) [1]

Notes:
This piece is one of 17 objects purchased by William K. Bixby for the Museum (964:1920 - 980:1920). Each object shares the same provenance.

[1] William K. Bixby purchased objects for the Museum from around 1915 through the late 1920s. It is unclear from whom Mr. Bixby purchased this object. See receipt from the Museum to Mr. Bixby dated April 28, 1920 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, June 1, 1920.

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