Lot 287. A dark blue-ground woven silk informal lady's 'butterfly' robe, mid-19th century. Estimate GBP 1,000 - GBP 2,000 (USD 1,279 - USD 2,558). © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The robe is decorated in gilt with confronting butterfly roundels, surrounded by scattered prunus flowers and smaller butterflies in flight. The collar and cuffs are decorated with fruits and leafy foliage in couched gilt thread, with a band of flower vase cartouches to each cuff. Together with an additional length of woven satin of similar decoration.

Provenance: With Ho Yi Cheng Co., Beijing, 17 November 1927.

Exhibited: Exhibited at Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center, Portsmouth, Ohio, USA, Puppetry of China, 15 September 1985 - 15 November 1985.