Chinese Man’s Official Formal Embroidered Black Gauze Court Skirt
1874-1911
Scroll
Chinese Man’s Official Formal Embroidered Black Gauze Court Skirt
1874-1911
Physical Qualities
Silk- and metallic-wrapped embroidery threads on silk gauze; cotton or possibly hemp waistband, 38 3/4 x 58 in. (98.4 x 147.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. William H. B. Howard, Joppa, Maryland
Object Number
2009.208
Man's formal Chaofu or Court Skirt of blue/black silk gauze embroidered with dragons, roundels, and symbols. Skirt consists of a dark blue (hemp?) waistband attached to 10 1/2" wide gauze panel trimmed in blue and gold damask and embroidered with dragons and symbolic motifs in multicolored and gold metallic-wrapped threads. A small pendent flap (ren) decorated with a dragon in a roundel hangs just below this upper band. This wide upper band is attached to two black or dark blue silk gauze skirt panels, each 28 1/2" high, the first 52 1/2" long and the second 73 1/2" long. These are embroidered with silk and metallic embroidery threads in a row of roundels of dragons pursuing flaming pearls. Below are larger dragons also pursuing flaming pearls above cresting waves holding auspicious symbols and a band of lishui stripes in multiple colors. The skirt sections are bound in wide blue- and gold-patterned fabric.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 2009; Ami Howard, Joppa, MD
Christie's, N.Y., "The Imperial Wardrobe: Fine Chinese Costume and Textile from the Linda Wrigglesworth Collection," March 19, 2008. p. 158, lot 117; Embroidered Black Satin Chaofu Skirt, late 19th century. Estimate: $4,000-$6,000; pp. 68-69, lot 36. Estimate, complete outfit: $30,000-40,000.
Https://classic.liveauctioneers.com/item/56604643_dragon_embroidered-skirt-china-19th-c, liveacutioneers, 10/12/2017.
Https://classic.liveauctioneers.com/item/56604643_dragon_embroidered-skirt-china-19th-c, liveacutioneers, 10/12/2017.
Inscribed: None
