Pink and turquoise jacket with appliqué and key design

Description

The well-dressed Chinese lady of the late nineteenth century would have had several informal jackets like this one. The main fabric is a lovely pale aqua damask silk with a woven pattern of large peonies. A striking contrast is provided by wide bands of black silk at the collar, cuffs and hem. These are embellished with an appliquéd and embroidered fret design in black-on-pink. A tripartite ribbon with tiny embroidered butterflies, cranes, and flowers echoes the inner edges of the black bands. Finally, three large appliquéd peony blossoms are placed at the sides and lapel of the jacket. The overall effect is both sumptuous and striking: a woman wearing this jacket would be noticed in a crowd.
Maribeth Graybill, Senior Curator of Asian Art
Exhibited in "Flora and Fauna in Chinese Art," April 6, 2002 - December 1, 2002.