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Woman’s ceremonial robe

first half 18th century
Not on view
In Chinese, the word for “bat” (fu 蝠) sounds like the one for “happiness” (fu 福), so this robe carries a symbolic message of good fortune. The roundels of five interlocking bats surrounding the Chinese character for “longevity” (shou 壽) refer to the “Five Happinesses”: longevity, health, wealth, virtue, and a natural death.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 清早期 刺繡百蝠紋女吉服袍
  • Title: Woman’s ceremonial robe
  • Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
  • Date: first half 18th century
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk satin
  • Dimensions: 54 x 75 in. (137.2 x 190.5 cm)
  • Classification: Costumes-Embroidered
  • Credit Line: Anonymous Gift, 1943
  • Object Number: 43.119
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Robe (Kosode) with Floral Roundels, Figured satin-weave silk with tie-dyeing, silk embroidery, and couched gold thread, Japan
Robe (Kosode) with Floral Roundels
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ca. 1670s
The Kangxi Emperor's Southern Inspection Tour, Scroll Three: Ji'nan to Mount Tai, Wang Hui and assistants Chinese, Handscroll; ink and color on silk, China
The Kangxi Emperor's Southern Inspection Tour, Scroll Three: Ji'nan to Mount Tai
Wang Hui
datable to 1698
Robe (Kosode) with Cherry Blossoms and Cypress Fence , Silk and metallic thread embroidery with resist dyeing on satin damask, Japan

Robe (Kosode) with Cherry Blossoms and Cypress Fence

Japan
second half of the 17th century
Woman at her dressing table, Leng Mei Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, China
Woman at her dressing table
Leng Mei
18th century
Blind with scrollwork, bat, and flowers
China
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