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Blue Kesi imperial robe

Collection Info

  • TimesGuangxu Period, Qing Dynasty
  • dimensionsRobe length: 135cm; Two-sleeve length: 206cm; Sleeve width: 18cm; Lower hem width: 87cm

Connection profile

This Kesi imperial robe shares the same decorative patterns with Qing emperors’ auspicious attires. It is of exquisite craftsmanship with nine dragons embroidered. The embroidered character “Shou” (meaning longevity) used to be a typical design popular during Guangxu period. Kesi technology is adopted, which can be dated back to even before the 7th century, and it prevailed in Sui and Tang Dynasties and thrived in Song Dynasty. Raw silk is used for the longitudinal threads, and boiled-off silk the latitudinal threads; first of all the pre-designed patterns are outlined with ink threads on the longitudinal thread surface, and then several or even dozens of spindles or other tools with colorful latitudinal threads are applied through techniques including plain weaving, bridging, long and short propping, combing in the opposite direction, flipping, winding, outlining, etc. to weave the latitudinal threads in segments and interweave them together with the longitudinal threads, so that “longitudinal threads are continuous while latitudinal ones are not”. When weaving is finished, both sides are exactly the same, showing ideal decorative effects. Since Qing Dynasty, a new technique named “Kesi plus painting” emerged, namely, to paint the details of the patterns on finished Kesi outlines in order to reduce cost. Details like the cranes and clouds are painted as well in the case of the imperial robe herein. 

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