This pair of Chinese lotus shoes were made by a woman of limited finances. She bought what materials were needed for the vamp and supplemented with the use of rough home spun fabric scraps to cover the shaped heals and soles. The limited amount of expensive gold couching threads outlining the floral embroidery pattern on each side of the shoes indicates that this pair of lotus shoes would have used only for special occasions...

A pair of shoes with leather sole for a Manchurian woman or girl. The cream colored silk embroidered with polychrome silk and couched gold thread depicting birds in a lotus pond. The forward section decorated with ruyi head shaped velvet. Blue cotton lining. Condition: patina, few loose and missing threads, two not embroidered areas with splits. Dimension: 16 cm long, weight: 194 g.

This pair of earmuffs are kept together with a silk ribbon. Worn to protect the ears in winter, the outer side has delicate embroidered flower motif, and the inside is slightly padded and has ear pockets which slip of the ears.

An unusual pair of hand embroidered Chinese silk pouches with auspicious symbols. The color contrast is stunning, each has its original silk tassels. These pouches also have their original drawstrings yet intact. These pouches may have been used for eyeglasses and /or general use. In excellent condition with only minimal fading, which is remarkable considering their age, the pouches measure 6" (15.2 cm) long. The tassels measure 5" (12.7 cm).

Qing Dynasty (19th century) Chinese Manchu style robe decorated in embroidered dragons chasing flaming pearls (symbolizing the Buddhist notion of enlightenment) executed in gold-couched thread on a blue silk ground. The eight full-face and profile four-clawed dragons are surrounded by clouds and various auspicious symbols. The dragon's eyes are accented in black and white. An embroidered panel surrounding the neckline is filled with additional dragons running across the top of waves...

Chinese Qing dynasty (19th century) Daoist priest’s robe densely embroidered in a pattern of complex iconographical symbols set against a pale celadon silk background created entirely from satin-stitch embroidery. The style is the traditional rectangular front-opening form which rests on the shoulders and has the lower part of the sides sewn together to form armholes. The center back is embroidered with a flame-bordered circular cartouche containing a pagoda flanked by flying birds...

Chinese late Qing dynasty (late 19th century) woman's rank badge embroidered with a central satin-stitched silver pheasant with very nicely detailed feathers. A single bat hovers below the sun at the upper right. This Mandarin square would have been worn by the wife of a 5th rank civil official. The badge is backed with stiff paper covered with blue silk and is bordered on the front in red silk. This rank badge measures 8 3/8"V x 9 1/8"H...

Gorgeous Chinese coat made all of silk with silk embroidered design of blue and white peonies, chrysanthemums and butterflies on an orange silk ground, pattern of waves and rocks along hem, sleeves of white silk embroidered with more flowers and butterflies, forbidden stitch (see detail photo), ribbon applique on sleeves and neck, lined in light blue silk, minor spots and fraying on sleeves, c. 1900. Size: 44 1/2" high x 56" wide

Late Qing Dynasty (19th century) Chinese lady’s front-opening summer gauze kesi surcoat decorated with eight polychrome roundels, featuring a central crane surrounded by butterflies and flowers, set against a dark cobalt blue ground. The crane motif indicates the robe would have been worn by the wife of a first-rank civil official. The sleeve ends are decorated with a water and wave motif...

Extraordinary 19th century (Qing Dynasty) Chinese Manchu style silk robe embroidered in polychrome and gilt metallic threads with 8 visible 5-clawed dragons, plus one hidden dragon on the inside flap, depicted in full-face and profile poses against a blue ground. Each dragon is chasing a flaming pearl (symbolizing the Buddhist notion of enlightenment) and is surrounded by clouds and various auspicious symbols...

Qing Dynasty Chinese Manchu style summer silk gauze robe decorated in copper colored metallic threads with a brocade pattern featuring 8 visible 5-clawed dragons, plus one hidden dragon on the inside flap, depicted in full-face and profile poses against a blue ground. Each dragon is chasing a flaming pearl (symbolizing the Buddhist notion of enlightenment) and is surrounded by clouds and various auspicious symbols. The dragon's eyes are accented in black and white...