Bridal Robe (Hwarot)
Unknown Artist
late 1800s
Medium
Silk: satin weave; embroidery; paper edging on neck and sleeves
Dimensions
114.3 × 174 cm
Classification
Garment
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
The Worcester R. Warner Collection
Accession Number
1918.552
About this artwork
This bride's robe is exquisitely embroidered with various symbols of happiness in colorful silk threads. Butterflies stand for marital happiness; the phoenix, numerous offspring; and lotus flowers and white cranes, longevity. Yet, the bridal robe does not attest to the life of luxury. To the contrary, many traces of repairs, trimmings, and patchwork, reflect Joseon period women’s commitment to value neo-Confucian aesthetics of frugality and modesty. Substantial repairs and patching reveal that t...