Skirt. Wraparound. Front and back panels; 12 pleats on each side. Green silk damask ground. Front and back densely embroidered with butterfly and floral motifs in pinks, green, purple. ingle flowering branch on each side pleat. Single grass orchid beneath 2 panels. Wide white cotton waistband. Black tape and blue embroidered tape borders added later. Blue silk lining on front and back panels. Worn by a women on special occasions, probably with a matching jacket. Late 19th century. Symbolism: Butterfly - joy, summer; Peony - beauty, spring; Plum blossom - long life, winter; Pleats: Grass orchid - feminine modesty; Lotus - summer; Cherry blossom - feminine beauty
Donor:
Arlene Miller Rolkin
Collection place:
China
Culture or time period:
Chinese
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Skirts (garments)
Function:
2.4 Fine Clothes and Accoutrements not used exclusively for status or religious purposes