A RARE MIDNIGHT-BLUE-GROUND EMBROIDERED SILK WOMAN'S INFORMAL JACKET, WAITAO 19th centuryA RARE MIDNIGHT-BLUE-GROUND EMBROIDERED SILK WOMAN'S INFORMAL JACKET, WAITAO19th century Finely embroidered with the front overflap closing to the right in gold-wrapped thread and satin stitch with numerous scenes from the 'Romance of the Western Chamber', depicting court figures engaging in various leisurely pursuits in garden settings dotted with colourful shrubs of blossoming flowers, all on a deep-midnight-blue ground, the pale blue satin collar and edges embroidered in gold thread with the Eight Buddhist Emblems, the sleeve-bands meticulously embroidered with the Hundred Boys. 126cm (49 1/2in) wide.十九世紀 石青地繡西廂故事圖馬褂Provenance: Linda Wrigglesworth Ltd., London, 17 March 2003A European private collection來源：倫敦古董商Linda Wrigglesworth Ltd.，2003年3月17日歐洲私人收藏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 present lot depicts specific scenes from the popular 13th century drama Xixiang Ji 西廂記, or 'The Romance of the Western Chamber'. The play narrates a secret love affair between the young scholar Zhang Sheng, and Cui Yingying, daughter of a chief minister. One scene, for example, depicts Zhang Sheng playing the guqin, attracting the attention of the admiring Cui Yingying: this scene is regarded as the highlight of the entire story; see Hsu wen-Chin, 'Illustrations of Romance of the Western Chamber on Chinese Porcelains. Iconography, Style and Development, in Ars Orientalis, vol.40, 2011, pp.39-107.Although scholar Zhang and Cui Yingying fell in love with each other at a Buddhist monastery, Cui Yingying's mother disapproved of the match because of Zhang's low status. Yingying's maid Hongniang, however, took pity on them and arranged to bring them together in a secret union. When Yingying's mother discovered what had happened, she reluctantly agreed to a formal marriage on the condition that Zhang must pass the Civil Service examination. To the joy of the young lovers, Zhang Sheng passes, is appointed to high office, and the two are finally married.Compare with a related embroidered midnight-ground silk woman's informal jacket, waitao, 19th century, which was sold at Bonhams London, 13 May 2021, lot 93.