Manchu Woman’s Informal Robe (chenyi) with Design of Roundels Containing Orchid, Chrysanthemum, and Begonia Sprays

The principal material for this robe is a pale lavender silk satin damask with roundels containing orchids, chrysanthemums, and other flowers. The wide borders accentuating the sleeves, neck, side, and hem are black silk satin embroidered with floral and butterfly motifs using silk floss of many colors. Each sleeve is also embellished by an additional decorative band made from white silk satin and embroidered with multicolored silk floss. The narrower bands of blue silk edging are also decorated with floral and butterfly motifs. Informal robes of this kind were worn at the late Qing court by imperial concubines and senior ladies-in-waiting.