A RARE MIDNIGHT-BLUE-GROUND EMBROIDERED DAMASK SILK WOMAN'S OVERCOAT, WAITAO Early 19th centuryA RARE MIDNIGHT-BLUE-GROUND EMBROIDERED DAMASK SILK WOMAN'S OVERCOAT, WAITAOEarly 19th century Finely tailored in rich aubergine damask silk decorated with multiple roundels enclosing writhing five-clawed dragons amidst vaporous clouds and endless knots, with cream satin ruyi collar, the edges meticulously embroidered with continuous garden scenes depicting Court figures engaged in leisurely pursuits in garden settings amidst flowering shrubs, elegant pavilions and luxurious trees, the double-sided sleeve bands with the Eight Immortals depicted with highly-detailed facial features and robes, edged with silk ribbons and detailed corners of finely entwined ribbons, lined in blue silk and fastened with large gilt buttons. 142cm wide (55 7/8in) x 102.5cm (40 1/8in) long.十九世紀早期 藍地彩繡人物故事紋馬褂Provenance: Linda Wrigglesworth, London, acquired in 2000來源：倫敦Linda Wrigglesworth收藏，於2000年入藏Superbly embroidered in wrapped gold and multicoloured threads with elegant designs of Court figures and boys at play, the present robe would have been worn by a high-ranking Han Chinese woman.The gentle curve of the sleeves on the underarms suggests that the overcoat would have been made before 1880, as later coats featured straight lines for the sleeves.A related midnight-blue embroidered satin Han Chinese woman's informal overcoat, waitao, 19th century, was sold at Bonhams London, 13 May 2021, lot 93.