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Accession Number 2005.5.304 Title Blue Silk Tapestry Weave Surcoat for a Woman Category clothing Object Type surcoat Artist unknown Date Made date unknown Place Made China Culture Chinese Period Qing 19th century Materials dark blue silk and metal-wrapped thread tapestry weave Materials Glossary Tapestry Weave View Materials Glossary Details » Measurements overall: 140 cm x 119.4 cm; neck to hem: 140 cm; cuff to cuff: x 119.4 cm Description

A black silk tapestry (kesi) weave surcoat (or bufu) with eight roundels and decorative hem woven into the design. Each roundel contains a similar design of peonies, pheasants, butterflies, and other flowers. The hem…

A black silk tapestry (kesi) weave surcoat (or bufu) with eight roundels and decorative hem woven into the design. Each roundel contains a similar design of peonies, pheasants, butterflies, and other flowers. The hem is decorated with a thick standing water design, which consists of diagonal multi-coloured stripes, and waves crashing against rocks. Interspersed in the waves are auspicious symbols, such as wan symbols and decorative bells. This surcoat has a typical front opening with five brass buttons, and three vents - two at the sides and one in the back. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) it would have been worn by a Manchu woman overtop of her robes.

Read More + Credit Line Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart