This professional appraisal was done by : Merr. Ily Peebles, Asian Textile And Costume Specialist in Santa Barbara, CA. A HAN CHINESE WOMANS FORMAL VEST (XIAPEI). REPURPOSED INTO A COAT. Silk Brocade in multi-colors with a dark blue silk satin ground. Rank badge in gold- wrapped-silk couched threads. Height 42 x width 54 1/2 inches. Coat Qing dynasty, 1860s or 70s. Rank Badge late Qing Dynasty, ca 1900. Originally a vest, this garment would have been completely open at the sides and held together with criss-cross straps under the arms. It is now sewn together. The bottom of the garment is subtly pointed on the right and left front, as is correct for a xiapei , but it would have been bordered with an embroidered or woven ribbon facing and completed with a macramé heading ending in long fringes all around the bottom. Sleeves from a Chinese womans. Have been added to the vest. The sleeves are black silk and have blue cuffs couched with gold wrapped threads. The original binding along the front has been replaced with plain black silk. The black silk binding continues at the hem. The garment is decorated with three long dragons, two on the front and one on the back. Taoist emblems including castanets, double gourds, fans, and swords as well as bats, clouds and flowers are scattered over the body of the garment. Lion dogs dance on top of the waves that encircle the bottom of the garment. The center back and front display a fifth rank military badge. The bear, the fifth rank insignia, teeters on the top of the mountain that rises out of the waves. The badge is made of couched gold threads and is appliquéd to the body of the garment. As a husband moved up in rank the wife would replace the badge as needed. This badge is later in date than the garment, perhaps nearer 1900. The colors and quality of the original piece are quite good. In the 1920s Chinese costume was refashioned into evening wear for the western market. Perhaps that was the fate of this coat. In comparison to other types of Chinese garments, formal vests are rare. The original underlying vest is of the age that gives this coat great value. Ily Peebles, Asian Textile And Costume Specialist. The item “Antique Han Chinese Dragon Robe gold embroidery Blue Qing 1860s AUTHENTICATED” is in sale since Saturday, August 1, 2020. This item is in the category “Antiques\Asian Antiques\China\Robes & Textiles”. The seller is “256sticks” and is located in Santa Barbara, California. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Primary Material: Silk & Fabric
- Age: 1850-1899
- Featured Refinements: Chinese Robe
- Type: Kimonos, Robes & Textiles
- Original/Reproduction: Antique Original
- Region of Origin: China
- Color: Blue
