Korean longevity robe
Korea
19th Century
153cm cuff to cuff (folded back) x 123cm neck to hem

An unusual Korean gentleman's longevity robe of a very fine petrol blue silk woven with damask design of roundels displaying ruyi sceptre head shaped clouds and fruit enclosing mythical animals. The peaches and pomegranates are shown enclosing cranes and Qilin. These motifs are common to both Chinese and Korean tradition. In addition, archaic longevity characters have been brocade woven in gold thread. The lower sleeves have been attached to the robe so as to fold back revealing longevity characters.