Woman's Sleeveless Jacket with Butterflies
Tapestry-woven (kesi) silk and metallic thread Emblematic of summer and joy, butterflies have long inspired Chinese writers, artists, and even philosophers. For example, the Zhuangzi, a book of Daoist thought (ca. 300 A.D.), contains a story in which the purported author, Zhuangzi dreams he is a butterfly. By the late Tang dynasty, a story of "butterfly lovers" appeared in which a young couple, tragically thwarted in their wishes to wed, turn into a pair of butterflies and flutter away.
The delicate tapestry-woven (kesi) butterflies seen on the green background of this sleeveless jacket also occur on the black background of its border. Beginning in the second half of the nineteenth century, the borders at the edges of garments became increasingly elaborate.
The delicate tapestry-woven (kesi) butterflies seen on the green background of this sleeveless jacket also occur on the black background of its border. Beginning in the second half of the nineteenth century, the borders at the edges of garments became increasingly elaborate.
Artwork Details
- Title: Woman's Sleeveless Jacket with Butterflies
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Date: late 19th–early 20th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Tapestry-woven silk and metallic thread (kesi)
- Dimensions: 27 x 36 in. (68.6 x 91.4 cm)
- Classification: Costumes-Tapestries
- Credit Line: Gift of Florance Waterbury, 1945
- Object Number: 45.125.15
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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China
late 19th–early 20th century
China
ca. 1330–32
China
14th century
China
first half 18th century
Guo Xi
ca. 1080
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