SIGNED Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Silk Embroidered Wedding /Court Skirt

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Stunning paneled Qing Dynasty era late 19th c- early Republic era silk woman's domestic wedding or court dark blue skirt. This austere and elegant piece is decorated with the auspicous symbols of repeat marital bliss and spring time fertility. Hand-embroidered butterflies in corals and gradient seagreen-blues have fantastic phoenix or pheasant-like feathery wings. Smaller butterflies or moths dance about pink, rose, white, red, apricot, and blush shaded blossoms representing traditional blooms. The flowers appear to be peony, chrysanthemum, perhaps cherry and plum. Gradient hues of green and deep ink blue illustrate the stems. The main color background of the skirt is a fine, almost matte yet luminous navy - midnight black, trimmed in a narrow tea trade white embroidered ribbon and soft, delicately thin wider black silk edging that has frayed in several places especially near the bottom. On the inside hem and along the main panel interior edges, it appears that an older, more fragile hem lining of pale celadon green brocade silk has been handstitched to the main skirt and glued (to stiffen the hem?). There is soiling on the inner hem that seems to be from the glue and some wear, and a couple tiny holes in the blue silk near the hem from insects or wear. Between two of the panels there is a small area where the stitching joining the panels has come undone which could be resewn, but it is not easily noticed. The embroidery silk threads, done in satin stich and french knots, are in excellent shape except for a small dark dot on one of the flower petals (see picture). There is a linen or flax-like waistband with two loops, metal closures, a firm elastic band, and some Chinese characters --which may be a signature? Overall exterior condition is very good (the frayed ground hem trimming being the most visible flaw, and easily remedied by trimming the stray threads), with the deep navy blue silk being strong and supple, and the elegant butterflies and blossoms resplendent in their opal hues.Measurements, approximate: 31.5" inches long6.5" high waistbandsigned elastic waist measures approximately 17-18" inchesSkirt circumference is at least 80 inchesPlease ask all questions before bidding. Due to the rarity and delicacy of this item, I normally do not do returns; however if you contact me (maldorora at ) within 3 days of receipt, I will accept returns if the skirt is grossly misrepresented from what is described here in the text and pictures. Skirt must be returned in same or similar packaging, send via USPS priority with signature receipt. Buyer will pay return postage and refund will be issued upon receipt of skirt in same, unworn condition as it was sold. Thank you for looking-- please see my other auctions for more vintage fashion, Chinese and Japanese antique and vintage textiles, and more~~ Note: there are 2 larger panels with the butterflies & flowers. The first picture shows one of the large panels; the second picture shows the other large panel. Each panel measures about 9.5" tall x 8" wide (not counting the tea trade ribbon border). They are sort of mirror images of each other. The "dot" on the butterfly's wing is actually dark navy blue embroidered thread. The dot on the flower in the other panel looks to be an unembroidered part, or it may be a flattened/darkened tiny area (no hole on the other size). Both dots are about the size of a 1-2mm pinhead. read more

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