Celestial robes. or robes decorated with astrological symbols and animals, have been popular in Chinese and Japanese cultures for centuries. Many were for religious reasons, others decorative. Below are some examples of celestial robes.
A red ground embroidered Daoist robe, jiangyi Republic period Of modified rectangular form with a central opening down the front, reversed by a ground of couched gilt threads forming elaborate repeating wanzi patterns surrounding vibrantly hued gourds, cranes, butterflies, five-clawed dragons within seven octofoil reserves, and cosmological diagrams all centered by a seven-tier celestial tower, the purple silk sleeve cuffs and bottom hems displaying additional dragon and phoenix motifs, the interior blue wool lining inscribed da hong jiangyi san chi jiu cun, jiashu ji dong bei including the cyclical date equivalent to 1934 (very minor wear and tear). 53 3/4in (136.5cm) long
Sold for US$ 2,375 (£ 1,854) inc. premium at Bonhams in 2015
Old Chinese embroidered silk robe; showing intricate parcel-gilt thread design of celestial dragons, phoenixes, bats and butterflies amid flora, on a blue and red ground with green interior; L: 43 1/2″ (approx.)
Sold for $325 at I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers in 2017
Kosode with Scenes from Nō Plays Edo period (1615–1868) Llate 18th–early 19th century
In the late Edo period, kosode (“small-sleeved” robes) with this type of decorative scheme—dense landscape patterns accompanied by scenes alluding to traditional Japanese literature—conveyed an aristocratic flavor and were popular among women of the samurai class. The back of this robe features motifs that allude to three Nō plays. At the lower center, a colorful feather robe, fishing rod, and creel recall The Feather Mantle (Hagoromo), a play about a fisherman who finds a celestial being’s feather robe on a pine branch at Miho Beach. The divinity performs a dance to retrieve her robe and then ascends to heaven.
Reference: Museum of Applied Art and Sciences
A RARE BLUE DAOIST PRIEST’S ROBE (DAOPAO) QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY with wide sleeves, the front opening with a tie fastening, the back sewn with a large square enclosing the celestial pagoda surrounded by heavenly bodies, all below the abodes of the ‘Three Pure Ones’ flanked by the sun and moon, with colored clouds and phoenix all executed in satin stitch and couching, the edges set with wide borders of mythical animals and clouds banded by strips of silver-foiled paper Length 55 in., 139.7 cm; Width 67 1/2 in., 171.5 cm
Sold for 15,000 USD at Sothebys in 2014
Child’s robe of red silk satin, embroidered with coloured silks and gold thread. Eight celestial dragons, four-clawed, chasing flaming pearls through the clouds, amid which bats (fu, homonyms for happiness) are flitting. Below is Meru, the sacred mountain of the Buddhists, rising from the waves. Lined with pale blue silk damask (floral pattern). A piece of red satin has been glued to one corner, where the jacket was defective and this is decorated with applied pieces of silk embroidery. 19th Century
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
