A RARE VOIDED-VELVET LILAC-GROUND ROBE

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF BEVERLEY JACKSON

Details

A RARE VOIDED-VELVET LILAC-GROUND ROBE
1900-1910

Probably made for the Empress Dowager or a member of her court, the lilac ground cut in an overall pattern of bold, deep blue, leafy peony scroll, bordered by a chartreuse band decorated with butterflies and flowers, edged with narrow key-pattern and prunus bands, all within a plain black satin border unusually applied with shaded pink and green peony appliqué, with enameled flower-form buttons, the figured pale- blue silk lining with peaches, pomegranate, and finger citron--50½in. (148.2cm.) long

Lot Essay

The palette, bold floral pattern, style and length of this robe are characteristic of the Empress Dowager's informal attire. For examples of robes of similar style, believed to have been from the wardrobe of the Empress Dowager, see Helen E. Fernald, Chinese Court Costumes, Royal Ontario Museum of Archaeology, Toronto, 1946