Robe Item Number: 2506/4 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Short robe of lavender silk. End of sleeves encircled by three black bands and two blue stripes at the cuffs and collar, and wavy bands of black and blue silk along the sides and bottom of the body. An opening flap ovelaps on the right side in a curve from the neck to below the right arm. There are six frog closures along the opening and there is a pocket on the inside flap. There is a slit at the bottom of each side seam. The frog closures consist of two flourishes of piping attached on either side of the front opening, one with a loop and the other with a ball-shaped toggle.

History Of Use

Everyday wear. This style of woman's suit (aoku) originated with the Manchus, a northern nomadic tribe who ruled during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Both men and women wore the same style of suit until men stopped wearing the overlapping top. Women continued to wear this style until the mid-to-late 19th century. Originally worn over matching pants; later worn over a skirt by the middle and upper classes.

Narrative

Sold through a consignment store in Vancouver, by a great-grandchild of the original owners.

Item History

What

Name
Robe
Identification Number
2506/4
Type of Item
robe
Material
silk fibre and dye
Manufacturing Technique
hand sewn and appliqued
Overall
height 96.5 cm, width 141.5 cm

Who

Culture
Chinese
Previous Owner
Sack Lee Yew and Tapestry Vintage Clothing
Received from
Tapestry Vintage Clothing (Seller) and Fyfe-Smith Memorial Oriental Collection Fund (Funding source)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

When

Creation Date
between 1875 and 1920
Ownership Date
before February 16, 2000
Acquisition Date
on February 16, 2000

Other

Item Classes
textiles
Condition
good
Accession Number
2506/0004