Informal robes and skirts like this were intended for everyday use. They were typically worn by the wives of officials and merchants in China during the Qing dynasty. Made of silk, they are decorated with intricate designs of animals, flowers, plants, and human figures. The woven silk fabric used to make these outfits is called kesi. Kesi tapestry was one of the main Song dynasty achievements and the extremely fine silk tapestry came to symbolise cultural prestige. This is evident through the use of kesi tapestries as diplomatic gifts by rulers and its idealisation among Chinese scholar-officials. It remains a living art form today in China and the Himalayan region.
