A CHINESE RED-GROUND 'MELONS AND BUTTERFLIES' SILK ROBE

19TH CENTURY

Embroidered with eight roundels containing peony flowerheads surrounded by butterflies, melons and leaves, the lush peony petals detailed with gold thread and Peking knots, the edges and wide sleeve panels similarly decorated with flowers and fruits on a dark blue ground, all above stylised waves crashing against rocks, the lining blue, 191cm across, 142cm long.

Provenance: from the collection of Sir Kenneth Stewart (1882-1972), purchased in Shanghai in 1926 and thence by descent.