Antique Qing Dynasty Chinese Lady Embroidered Padded Winter Robe
A scarce antique lady informal padded winter robe, 19th century (Qing Dynasty), China.
Dark blue satin silk is finely embroidered in colored floss satin silk with butterflies flitting amidst peonies, chrysanthemums, and other various flowers.
Sleeves finished with cream-colored satin silk bands embroidered with various figural scenes, bordered with multicolored ribbons and light blue satin.
The front - opening with four toggles and gilt–metal buttons and trimmed together with sides opening with black silk satin.
The interior is padded with silk wadding and lined with cream satin silk, quilted with fish scales pattern.
The butterfly symbol represents love, specifically young love. Happily flitting from flower to flower signifies a happy social life for young and young-at-heart (yang energy).
Flowers symbolize spring and summer, and peonies also symbolize wealth and rank, indicating that this robe belonged to a young lady of the court.
Chinese Qing Dynasty padded winter robes were always considered scarce, rarely appeared for sale, and almost impossible to acquire.
REFERENCES:
1. Bonhams London. Fine Chinese Art. May 2016. Lot.267.
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23237/lot/267/?ca...
2. Christie’s, New York. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. March 21, 2013. Lot 1303.
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5662029
3. Sotheby’s New York. Asian Art. March 18, 2017. Lot. 1444
https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/lo...
We will provide the buyer with photocopies of the pages from the mentioned references together with a certificate of authenticity.
DIMENSIONS: Approximately, when placed flat: Length: 104 cm (41 inches), Width (distance from cuff to cuff): 150 cm (59 inches).
CONDITION: The robe is in very good condition considering its age, shows age and use, some slight age wear, particularly tears on the black trimming.
There are no holes or patches applied.
PROVENANCE: Acquired from an old Canadian collection of Oriental Art.
