A RARE DEEP-PURPLE-GROUND EMBROIDERED SILK WOMAN'S JACKET Late Qing DynastyA RARE DEEP-PURPLE-GROUND EMBROIDERED SILK WOMAN'S JACKETLate Qing DynastyThe elegant jacket with a centre-front opening fastened with three gilt-metal ball and loop toggle buttons, delicately embroidered in delicate satin stitch with multi-coloured satin floss with large shrubs of multi-coloured blossoming peonies issuing from multi-shaded green foliage interspersed with aster and fluttering butterflies, a similar design repeated on the collar with the addition of flowering wisteria and grapes, the black silk border and sleeve bands with further peonies and butterflies amidst lingzhi, chrysanthemums, bamboo, narcissus and long tailed birds, crimson lining. 150.5cm (59 2/8in) wide x 67cm (26 3/8in) long.清晚期 紫色綢繡花蝶紋馬褂This elegant jacket, finely embroidered with large and multi-coloured blossoming flowers was most probably made for an Imperial consort or concubine. The bold designs of large blooms are often associated with the informal Court Wear of empress Cixi and her Court ladied, and the extensive use of aniline dyes was popular during the later phases of the Qing dynasty.Compare with two related silk embroidered robe empress Dowager's spring jackets, late 19th/early 20th century, embroidered with large blossoming flowers and narcissi, decorated with large blossoming flowers, illustrated by H.E.Fernals, Chinese Court Costumes, Toronto, 1946, pl.XXI no.69 and pl.XXXII no.64.