SOLD

Symbol Coat
Last quarter 19th c

It is unusual to find a coat with these symbols. For similar see: Dickinson, Gary & Wrigglesworth, Linda Imperial Wardrobe pl 524 p 69. It was common practice for robes to be made during a person's lifetime in which they would be their burial dress. In the above book the authors say: Bai shou yi or robe of 'one hundred longevity symbols 'derived its name from the repeted use of various forms of the character ,i>shou meaning 'long life'. This robe was thought to be imbued with the power to extend life and was often given by a son to an aged parent. This robe would have been worn by a Manchu women without rank to be buried in. Quite why it was not used is anyone's guess.

Cataloguing

or Bai shou yi for a Manchu lady, of indigo satin couched in gold wrapped silk with eight roundels containing shou happiness symbols surrounded by borders of dragon meanders, the field with longevity symbols , all above a lishui wave border filled with peonies, the sleevebands of ivory satin each embroidered with vignettes of children at play, and smaller ones containing pavillions, all in blue, red, green silks on a sold couched gold ground, the borders with bats, lined in peach silk, top mandarin collar to base 44 in.

Condition

Basically in very good condition apart from some discolouration of the goldwork. The lowest plain button is missing and the top one has been replaced with an endless knot type buton. The back neck has a little of the couching coming away. We can re couch this for you if you do not mind the stitching going through the lining. The sleevebands are grubby where the fold lines occur and there are quite a few markings to the plain side of the band . Photos available. The lining is a little damaged centre back for about 3 in vertically at the seam.