Dragon Robe Item Number: 1458/53 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Dark blue 'longpao' robe with an open weave. The robe has a round neck, tapered sleeves with hoof cuffs and a side opening with brass frog closures. There are slits in the centre front and back. On the front and back are five-toed dragon, pearl, fire, bat, cloud, mountain, wave, coral, rhinoceros horn, circular and rectangular gold ornament motifs as well as the Buddhist symbols of good fortune. The motifs are gold, yellow, red, blue, green and white on dark blue ground. There are nine large dragons in all; three on the front and back, two on the shoulders and one on the inside flap. The collar border has a dragon, pearl and cloud motif on black ground, edged with a gold geometric band. The sleeves are brown with hoof cuffs embroidered with dragon, pearl and cloud motif on black ground and edged with gold braid. The inside is unlined.
Iconographic Meaning
At the hem of the robe is a wave and rock border, representing shanhe yitong 山河一同: a unified kingdom.
Item History
- Made in Sichuan, China before 1945
- Collected during 1945
- Owned by Margaret Outerbridge
- Owned by Ralph E. Outerbridge before November 26, 1990
- Received from Ralph E. Outerbridge (Donor) on November 26, 1990
What
- Name
- Dragon Robe
- Identification Number
- 1458/53
- Type of Item
- robe
- Material
- silk fibre, paper, fibre and metal
- Overall
- height 138.0 cm, width 205.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Previous Owner
- Margaret Outerbridge and Ralph E. Outerbridge
- Received from
- Ralph E. Outerbridge (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Sichuan, China
When
- Creation Date
- before 1945
- Collection Date
- during 1945
- Ownership Date
- before November 26, 1990
- Acquisition Date
- on November 26, 1990
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 1458/0053