AN EMBROIDERED PINK SATIN HAN CHINESE WOMAN'S SIDE-OPENING INFORMAL COAT, AO

LATE 19TH CENTURY

Details

AN EMBROIDERED PINK SATIN HAN CHINESE WOMAN'S SIDE-OPENING INFORMAL COAT, AO
LATE 19TH CENTURY
The pink satin damask woven with bats and embroidered in satin stitch with symmetrically arranged roundels of peacocks and ladies in garden settings amid a design of scattered flowers and the nine birds of mandarin rank, within ribbon and white satin borders embroidered with crane and butterfly roundels surrounded by further flowers and endless knots in wrapped gold thread, the sleeve bands unusually decorated with the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac
41 in. (94 cm.) long x 58 in. (147.3 cm.) across

Lot Essay

The presence of all nine species of birds used to represent mandarin rank indicates that the wearer was the wife of an official. The depiction of the animals of the zodiac on the sleeve bands is very unusual.

More from The Imperial Wardrobe: Fine Chinese Costume And Textiles From The Linda Wrigglesworth Collection

View All