Collar
Object name
Date made
Late 19th century
Place made
Description
Embroidered collar from China's Qing dynasty (1644-1911), made in the 19th century and decorated with flowers, animals, and human figures.
Content description
This large collar was stitched in China in likely the late 19th century, toward the end of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). The detachable collar, which is made of blue silk satin and has a scalloped edge and a symmetrical embroidered design, was likely worn as part of a woman's formal dress. This collar shares similarities with cloud collars, embroidered Chinese collars with a circular centre and four panels in the shape of ruyi clouds.
The entire collar is worked in Pekinese stitch, with selected areas worked in satin stitch. The embroidery is wrought in silk threads, with many of the motifs bordered in gold passing threads. At the centre front is a lotus flower flanked by other floral blooms and a pair of white cats or dogs. Also present are blue and pink pomegranates, purple, red, and green birds and two pairs of dragons, one pair of green dragons and one of black, blue, and white dragons. At the back of the collar are two women holding flowers. The lotus flower, dragons, and women are slightly raised. The motifs are united by scrolling polychrome stems, leaves, and curls. Along the edge is a line of embroidered pink flowers and pairs of blue curls, followed by a band of orange ribbon decorated with elongated green circles and red centres and strips pink, white, and purple satin. The collar was conservation mounted on a board in 2000, so its back is not visible.
The entire collar is worked in Pekinese stitch, with selected areas worked in satin stitch. The embroidery is wrought in silk threads, with many of the motifs bordered in gold passing threads. At the centre front is a lotus flower flanked by other floral blooms and a pair of white cats or dogs. Also present are blue and pink pomegranates, purple, red, and green birds and two pairs of dragons, one pair of green dragons and one of black, blue, and white dragons. At the back of the collar are two women holding flowers. The lotus flower, dragons, and women are slightly raised. The motifs are united by scrolling polychrome stems, leaves, and curls. Along the edge is a line of embroidered pink flowers and pairs of blue curls, followed by a band of orange ribbon decorated with elongated green circles and red centres and strips pink, white, and purple satin. The collar was conservation mounted on a board in 2000, so its back is not visible.
Dimensions
width: 14cm
height: 28cm
height: 28cm
Materials
Stitches
Motifs
Catalogue number
COL.2
Other numbers
RSN 112
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