Artwork Page for Bridal Robe (Hwarot)

Details / Information for Bridal Robe (Hwarot)

Bridal Robe (Hwarot)

late 1800s

Korea, Joseon dynasty

(1392–1910)
Medium
Silk: satin weave; embroidery; paper edging on neck and sleeves
Measurements
Overall: 114.3 x 174 cm (45 x 68 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
The Worcester R. Warner Collection 1918.552
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

This bride's robe is made of densely embroidered silk, but its collar and sleeves are covered in thick paper.

Description

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 this robe served as an important communal resource to be shared and passed down through several generations. Its collar and sleeves are covered in thick white paper; this paper is replaced with new paper for each bride, while the robe itself was reused for decades.
A silk hwarot, a bridal robe, features a rectangular body and large, square sleeves embroidered with pink flowers on a red background. On the body, two blue-colored cranes face each other at the hem while butterflies are interspersed with the flowers above. The innermost of three vertical bands on the arms features the phoenix bird, followed by a band with blue, gold, then red vertical stripes, and finally a phoenix and flowers on a cream background with white paper covering the upper half.

Bridal Robe (Hwarot)

late 1800s

Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)

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