Late 19th Century Chinese Embroidered Coat

From the seller:

Beautiful Antique C1920 Embroidered Blue Silk Chinese Robe

It is embroidered with creatures and flowers in many areas(please see photos).

It measures 45" long and about 42" around in the underarm area.

Closure is with black frogs down the front, and it is lined with blue silk.

Condition is very good. There is slight wear along the edges of the cuffs, and around the neck. The lining is faded in places as well.

Estate found here in Maine, offered with no reserve.


From Me:

I know this is before the 1920's only because by the time you hit the 1920's in China, you see a lot of change in fashion. The Cheongsam dress that most westerners are probably familiar with comes into play in the 1920's. Based on the other examples I found, I'm favoring the late 19th Century. One report I read suggested these were sold to Westerners in the 1920's as cast offs - most of the robes were from the 1880's to about 1910. This, of course, makes sense.

Turn of the 20th Century

Mid 19th Century

Mid 19th Century

And, if you are like me and love some good costuming (this has a mix of historical and fantasy) check out this page.

Tangzhuang Ladies Jacket In Blue

From the seller:

Simply AMAZING!! We found this and other items while doing some treasure hunting. I will be listing these amazing finds here on ebay for the next couple of days.

This jacket has two tie buttons on the front with two tight balls of silk as the buttons that are very much intact. The jacket is really blue in color with an array of different hand sewn silk flowers and different shapes thru out the item. The work on this is amazing to think one did this by hand. The item is real soft, silk, but the flowers and such are a different "spin" of silk, dealer/collector told me the facts on these items. The shirt is free from any damage besides some dirt/stains on mostly the inside of the jacket. The silk flowerets and shapes are very much intact with very minimal damage. This is truly a very rare and treasured item, it is amazing in workmanship and the condition being 100 years old!!

Thanks for looking, I hope you enjoyed seeing these rare and beautiful finds! It is amazing that all this was done by hands long ago!!

From Me:

The easiest way to date this for Western eyes is by looking at that gold rose trim around the edges. :-) This is Late Qing Dynasty or, in Western timing, Edwardian. You can read a bit about the Tangzhuang through the link. I'm honestly surprised this survived - many, many things associated with traditional Chinese culture were destroyed in the revolution.

The gentleman in the center left has a similar jacket on.

1920's China Black Jacket

From the seller:

No worries about fit or color--this is large and looks stunning on everyone! Please note that this auction is for the jacket only: Am selling half of Lot 111 from Christie's Sale 2108: The Imperial Wardrobe: Fine Chinese Costume and Textiles from the Linda Wrigglesworth Collection, sold on March 19, 2008 in New York Lot Description A BLACK SATIN WOMAN'S SHORT JACKET, AO EARLY 20TH CENTURY The black satin damask of the jacket woven with wan-fret roundels, lined in an unusual Japanese floral patterned cotton flannel. Jacket 35 in. (89 cm.) long x 46 in. (117 cm.) across Additional notes: I have purposely overexposed the detail shots to show the pattern of the silk, it is not faded or as light as it appears in the flash photo. Main shot is the most accurate. Silk is extremely heavy. Piece is in  excellent condition with no rips, sweat marks, tears, stains, etc. to either the exterior  or lining. Very wearable. Probably never worn. Condition, size, and the oddity of the Japanese lining makes this extremely collectible. Since acquiring  at Christie's, has been carefully stored in acid-free paper and lain flat. I am selling  because my collection has grown too large and, living in NYC,  I can no longer afford the storage space or the extra insurance. My winning bid for this lot was $2,000 plus a substantial buyer's premium. Please e-mail me with any questions. Please click on link below to confirm condition, description, price, and sale date, also background on sale: http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/textiles-costume/a-black-satin-womans-short-jacket-ao-5048845-details.aspx?from=salesummary&intObjectID=5048845&sid=500a5e4e-2128-46ad-91e8-82cf05b06f0c

From Me:

I don't really get a chance to show non-Western clothing often. China, in the 1920's, was at a crossroads. In 1912, the Qing Dynasty fell. It wouldn't be until 1934 that the Long March would take place. A lot of Chinese artifacts from this era were lost during the communist revolution - they burned photographs, traditional textiles, and anything that had the slightest hint to do with the imperial past. The only things that have survived, typically, are in Western hands - mainly British.

Child's Tiger Shoes

From the seller:

For sale: Antique vintage 1920's Baby or Child's Oriental Silk Red Cloth Shoes as is. The shoes are made out of what I believe is silk with accent thread designs and long tassles. The shoes are small, for a baby or young child. They measure at the bottom about just under 4 1/2 inches long by about 1 3/4 inches at the widest part. They are stuffed to give them shape with just a tissue. They are in used condition. There is over all age wear, stains and damage. Still very pretty even with the wear and still can be displayed. Thanks, Meg


From Me:

Honestly, I'm posting these because I think they are cute. :-) You can read a bit about "tiger shoes" here.

Pain and Beauty

From the seller:

Hello and Welcome to our auction for a fabulous Antique Item…….

C 1880 Chinese Embroidered Silk Shoe made for a lady with the Qing customary bound feet.

This was brought home from China early in the 1950’s and the story is that the lady who sold it would only sell 1 and wanted to keep the other because it was her last possession that belonged to her grandmother.

Find out about the now outlawed practise of foot binding here… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_binding


and some pictures here… http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-rare-photographs-19th-century-chinese-women?image=5

The embroidery is as beautiful as the silk is delicate.

On one side we can see a phesant with starflowers and on the other a carp among lillies, flowers grace the tip and embroidered rim.

We will be pleased to post this treasure FREE OF CHARGE anywhere in the world to it’s new home.

Please ask any questions you like or share any knowledge using the “ask a question” button and we will be pleased to answer promptly.

We are selling family items from our family estate as well as items from our club associates. Everything is described as accurately as possible but the photographs do not usually do the items justice, please ask any questions you like, prior to bidding, or share any knowledge using the "ask a question" link.

Please see Recent Feedback from our Valued Customers below.

Thank you all, we do appreciate you and your kind comments.



From Me:

Whenever I read "but corsets hurt!" all I can think of is a) you aren't wearing it properly and b) corsets were nothing compared to what Chinese women had to endure. In the West, if you didn't wear a corset, you didn't have to. You'd be laughed at but that would have been it. You wouldn't be shunned or cast out by your friends. They'd tease you but there were plenty of good reasons not to wear a corset for some people.

For nearly 1000 years, upper class Chinese girls had their feet broken in three places when they were as young as 3 years old. First, they broke the heel, crushing it to pull the bones under. Second, they crushed the toes, leaving on the big toe unscathed. Third, they - the "they" typically being your Mom and another relative- broke the top of the foot in half, pushing the part of the foot with your broken toes up over the broken the piece with the broken heel. Your feet were then wrapped like this with cloth until they healed in this mangled position. Then, you could change the bandages for new ones - constantly keeping your feet wrapped to prevent them from ever growing again.

This is what Locus feet were. This is what Chinese girls were forced to endure. On their very mangled feet, they wore beautiful shoes such as the ones above. The shoes were embroidered and typically no longer than four inches long. This is what pain looks like in fashion - not a corset. You have no choice when you are 3 if you want your feet bound or not. And if they weren't, you couldn't marry - no future and considered a "burden" on your family.

Huge Lot of Turn of the Century Blouses

From the seller:

Hello! Thanks for taking the time to view our auction!

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Up for your bidding consideration is a fabulous lot of *8* clothing items from the late 1800's to early 1900's! This lot includes 4 shirts, 1 vest, two skirts and one ornate robe. All items are worn, many are stained and all need some TLC - but hey, they're over 100 years old, give them a break! :)

The ornate robe has a large amount of discoloration but the trim,buttons and bright green interior are incredible (please note the photos!)

The shirts have lace breakage, stains, etc. The white shirt is incredibly stiff like starch was used on it.

The skirts have various small holes and stains. The white skirt has had an elastic waist that is not original to it. Both skirts are larger sizes (30" ish waists)

These would be perfect for display, to make patterns from, for plays or for the fabric itself! Measurements are available upon request.

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From Me:

It looks like everything really is from the first decade of the 20th Century. Pretty awesome time capsule! The pink robe like garment is a Chinese dress - very lovely.