Sleeve borders. Pearl grey silk satin ground, with multi-color symbolic embroidery. Central unicorn, or Chi-lin, which carries on its back the Book of the Law. Also butterfly, floral, and cloud motives. Single flowering sprig at one end of each. A,B are mirror images. Hems glued later. Length: 97 cm; width: 8.5 cm each. Background: silk, satin weave Pattern area: twisted silk, gold wrapped silk; satin stitch, Chinese knot, long and short stitch, couching Part of a woman's robe worn on special occasions. Mid 19th century Symbolism: Unicorn-Chi-lin; used here as a Buddhist symbol since it carries the Book of the Law. It is also the symbol of highest military rank, and of longevity, grandeur, felicity, wisdom. It is one of the four great mythical animals of China; Book of the Law-civilization; Chinese written language; Butterfly-joy, summer; Peony-riches, honor, love, spring; chrysanthemum-steadfastness, autumn; plum blossoms-long life, winter Mary V. Hays; S.F., Ca. (personal contact) Williams; Outlines of Chinese Symbolism; pp. 42, 60-1, 282, 296-7, 382-3