Pheasant-patterned robes were great ceremonial attires exclusively worn by the highest ranking female royals of the Joseon dynasty such as the queen or crown princess consorts, at occasions such as enthronements or weddings. The custom of wearing the pheasant robes began with its introduction from Ming China in 1370, the 19th year of King Gongmin’s reign in the Goryeo dynasty, and lasted until the end of the Joseon dynasty.

The color of the pheasant robe changed from red as signifier of royal status to cobalt blue following the declaration of the Korean Empire in 1897. The pheasants, representing affection and long-lasting conjugal love and harmony, are woven in the patterned silk fabric and round insignias featuring gold embroidery of five-clawed dragons are attached to the chest, back and shoulders.
In the Joseon period, insignias attached to robes represented the status of the wearer. The insignia for the emperor, king and crown prince features an embroidered 24-lobbed circular frame featuring a dragon among clouds. Conversely, the insignia for the empress and the queen was a plain circular patch with a dragon surrounded by clouds and symbols of long life.

There are only two surviving pieces of pheasant robes, one in the collection of the National Palace Museum of Korea along with its tailoring pattern, and the other in the collection of the Sejong University Museum. This robe was worn by the consort of Imperial Prince Yeong in April, 1922 for an audience with Emperor Sunjong and his consort.