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Details
- Place where the work was made
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China
- Date
- 19th century
- Media category
- Textile
- Materials used
- tubular bamboo beads threaded together with cotton, trimmed in light blue silk with button and ties
- Dimensions
- 68.0 x 152.0 cm
- Credit
- Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Judith and Ken Rutherford 2009
- Location
- Not on display
- Accession number
- 316.2009
- Copyright
- Share
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About
Bamboo undergarments were worn to keep the wearer cool and dry. They also prevented the staining of outer garments that were often made of costly silks. Typically they are made of hollow pieces of bamboo sewn together with cotton to fashion a type of mesh garment. A diagonal design, with additional patterning at the cuffs and near the waist, enhance this piece. There are vents at the underarms and a button is attached at the neck, together with ties along the garment front.
This type of bamboo clothing has been dated to as early as the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Frequently worn by Qing court officials under their heavy robes, these undergarments were particularly prevalent in southern China. Undergarments like this were also worn in especially humid climates.
Asian Art Department, AGNSW, September 2011
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Places
Where the work was made
China
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Exhibition history
Shown in 2 exhibitions
One hundred flowers (2011), Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 01 Sep 2011–15 Jan 2012
Elemental, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 30 Jul 2022–2024
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Bibliography
Referenced in 1 publication
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Melanie Eastburn, Look, 'Elemental', pp. 34-41, Sydney, Aug 2022-Sep 2022, 40 (colour illus.).
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Provenance
Mr Ken & Mrs Judith Rutherford, 2001-2009, Sydney/New South Wales/Australia, purchased in Beijing. Donated to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Aug 2009.