Embroidered Silk Lady's Butterfly Short Robe

c. 1850
$4,680 USD
Make an Offer
Dimensions
W: 62.5" D: 0.25" H: 44.75"
Materials
Silk
Purchase Quantity
Collection #
CJJK002
Estimated Shipping
$75

When the Qing-dynasty woman who wore this lovely jacket entered a room, people would instantly have recognized her status and rank based on the materials and decoration of her garment. So keen was the period on sartorial significance that clothing rules were outlined in an official guide issued in the 1700s. Worn with a pleated apron skirt, this silk jacket features a rich navy blue ground and is elaborately embroidered with flowers and butterflies. Seed stitching accents the peonies, butterflies, and sleeve decoration. Also called the “forbidden stitch,” the technique was so fine and precise that it was said to render the embroiderer blind.

Questions? Ask us

What They're Saying

Elizabeth Krueger | Elizabeth Krueger Design

“PAGODA RED was extremely supportive in helping to pull accessory options together for the Lake Forest Showhouse. After providing them with details and our vision on how we were looking to finish our space, Laurene helped curate options that made it easy for us to edit and finalize. It's also no surprise that the unique pieces we used in our showhouse space were some of the first to sell.”

Receive our weekly email on design &
creating memorable spaces