KOREAN

Wedding robe
(early 20th century)

Medium

silk, hemp, cotton

Credit Line: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased NGV Foundation, 2019

Gallery location: Level 1, NGV International

About this work

Hanbok is a Korean costume for traditional occasions such as festivals, celebrations and ceremonies. Comprising a chima (skirt), jeogori (jacket) and wonsam (ceremonial overcoat), this example features brightly coloured bands on the sleeves and would have been worn for a wedding ceremony. Historically, colourful hanbok were reserved for royalty and nobility, with the exception of weddings, when women of lower classes were permitted to wear brightly coloured garments to reflect the importance of the event. The five colours represent the five elements: green – wood, yellow – earth, red or pink – fire, white – metal, and blue – water. This combination was thought to empower the wearer to ward off evil spirits.

Artwork Details

Medium

silk, hemp, cotton

Measurements

(a) 121.3 cm (centre back) 91.3 × 28.3 cm (cuff to cuff)
(b) 33.5 cm (centre back) 118.0 cm (cuff to cuff)
(c) 108.7 cm (centre back) 172.6 cm (waist, circumference)
(d) 8.0 × 192.0 cm (sash)

Place/s of Execution

Korea

Accession Number

2019.612.a-d

Department

Asian Art

Credit Line

National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased NGV Foundation, 2019

Gallery location

Level 1, NGV International

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KOREAN Wedding robe (early 20th century)

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KOREAN

Wedding robe
(early 20th century)