Robe of dark blue silk with two knot and loop closures at the neck, and two ties at the chest. A small light blue border is layered over a larger beige silk border along bottom hem that extends along front opening, and around the neck. The beige border has scroll-work designs at hips, chest and neck. The interior of the sleeves lined with embroidered beige silk, that is exposed when cuff is folded back. Robe is embroidered in various shades of blue with detailing in gold-coloured metal thread and accents in red, pink, light green and orange silk thread. The embroidered designs include flowers, koi fish, butterflies and phoenix.

• Narrative

  The donor, Mary Stimpson was born in China in 1920 and lived there with her family until 1938. Her father was a US citizen who originally worked in the import/export business. Her parents arrived in China around 1915.

• History Of Use

  There are two types of Qing women’s clothing, the Manchu and the Han styles. By mid to late Qing, the two styles had influenced each other and they became similar. The most significant change to fashion during the Qing Dynasty is the use of buttons. For everyday wear, affluent women would wear a side (Manchu style) or front-fastening (Han style) robe with a wrap-around Han style pleated apron skirt called Ma Mian Qun (馬面裙/马面裙).

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• Type of Item robe
• Culture Chinese
• Material metal, silk fibre, dye
• Measurements height 114.6 cm, width 179.8 cm (overall)

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• Previous Owner Mary Stimpson
• Received from Mary Stimpson

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• Made in China

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• Creation Date between 1850 and 1911
• Ownership Date before September 26, 2019
• Acquisition Date on September 26, 2019

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• Item Classes textiles
• Condition fair
• Accession Number 3390/0002