清早期 刺繡百蝠紋女吉服袍|Woman’s ceremonial robe

Unknown

first half 18th century · Silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk satin · Asian Art

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.

Artist

Unknown

Date

first half 18th century

Medium

Silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk satin

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Anonymous Gift, 1943