Short jacket (theater?) made up of ivory diamond shaped pieces of satin and brocade, each embroidered with a flower spray or symbol. The colors include blue, green, crimson, rust, pale violet, yellow, pink, white, mauve, peach and mustard color. Embroidery chiefly in satin stitch; some knot and outline stitch. Wide sleeves finished with a band of white satin embroidered with bats, butterflies, flowers, in pastel satin stitch and couched gold. Shaped collar band of colored segments of satin and brocade embroidered with a design of flowers and good luck symbols in colors in satin stitch. Coat slit at sides, open in front, and lined with thin blue silk of swastika pattern.

SHORT COAT, 19th century

Unknown artist, expand_more

satin, brocadeexpand_more

The John R. Van Derlip Fundexpand_more  42.8.95

Not on Viewexpand_more

This jacket is decorated with flowers symbolizing good fortune, baskets of peaches symbolizing longevity, and the Eight Precious Things of Buddhism (umbrella, double fish, vase, lotus, conch shell, unending knot, canopy, and the wheel of the law). The bright colors of the patchwork design helped audiences spot the actor on stage and imparted a dramatic, theatrical look.

Details
Title
SHORT COAT
Role
Artist
Dimension
L.25-1/4 x W.23-1/8 in.
Accession Number
42.8.95
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know

Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.

Short jacket (theater?) made up of ivory diamond shaped pieces of satin and brocade, each embroidered with a flower spray or symbol. The colors include blue, green, crimson, rust, pale violet, yellow, pink, white, mauve, peach and mustard color. Embroidery chiefly in satin stitch; some knot and outline stitch. Wide sleeves finished with a band of white satin embroidered with bats, butterflies, flowers, in pastel satin stitch and couched gold. Shaped collar band of colored segments of satin and brocade embroidered with a design of flowers and good luck symbols in colors in satin stitch. Coat slit at sides, open in front, and lined with thin blue silk of swastika pattern.