Chinese Cloud Collar 1900s with silk and metallic embroidery featuring the moth

View Similar Items

Rare Mariano Fortuny Berry Silk Crepe Coat

1980s Thierry Mugler Gold Sequin Jacket Rare

GIORGIO SANT'ANGELO METALLIC KIMONO FAN BLOUSE 1970s

Rare 1960s Paco Rabbane Chainmail Jacket

Yves Saint Laurent Red Satin Double-Breasted Jacket, A/W 2009.

1980's Sonia Rykiel France Evening Wear Lightweight Silk Velvet Lame Duster

Verheyen London Chesca Oversize Blazer in Stone Grey Leather, Size 8

Verheyen London Chesca Oversize Blazer in Stone Grey Leather, Size 6

Verheyen London Chesca Oversize Blazer in Stone Grey Leather, Size 14

Verheyen London Reversible Shearling Gilet in Black

Verheyen London Reversible Shearling Gilet in Black - Size large

Mens Aviator Shearling Jacket in Brown - Size 40 UK

About the Item

This absolutely stunning Chinese cloud collar dates from about the early 1900s, and is part of a textile tradition which originated in the medieval Mongol Empire. From at least the 16th century in Persia and China, cloud collars were used as a decorative element worn on special occasions. This one features a moth in the center front. Moths have a special place in Chinese mythology. In ancient China, it was believed that moths were actually the souls of deceased people who came back to visit their loved ones. Depending on the legend, the souls either possessed the insects, or were the physical manifestation of the soul itself. This is rooted in a Taoist belief, from the Book of Transformation by Tan Qiao. The belief is that existence is dependent entirely upon an emptiness of void in the universe. The emptiness becomes spirit, the spirit becomes breath, breath becomes form, and then the form returns to the void once its life is over, only to repeat again. These intricately detailed collars were made of silk, and, even by the early 1900s, continued to be hand-stitched and hand-embroidered, as this one is. This particular collar displays masterful embroidery technique, utilizing a variety of stitches to give the images texture and depth. In particular, the delicate seed stitches, or ‘Peking knots’, which were found almost exclusively in embroidery of Chinese origin in this period, make up a large part of the design, along with couched metallic threads and satin-stitched grounds. The earthy colours are perfectly balanced in the design, and are accented by the glittering metal threads. The whole collar is set off perfectly by the striking black border. This garment would have taken hundreds of hours of handwork to produce, utilizing designs, techniques, and traditions which took more than 400 years to develop. It is a breathtaking piece, and will be the jewel of any collection. This extraordinary embroidery has this gift of true artistry which captures the beauty of power of the myth of the moth.

Dimensions:
Length: 32 in (81.28 cm)Marked Size: 0 (US)
Place of Origin:
China
Period:
Early 19th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Neck 13 inches.
Seller Location:
New York, NY
Reference Number:
Seller: EE2881stDibs: LU1612632312

More From This Seller

View All

Victorian Black Silk Belle Epoch Ribbon Lace Duster Jacket

Located in New York, NY

Victorian Black Silk Belle Epoch Ribbon Lace Duster Jacket

Category

Early 1900s Blouses

Victorian Black Silk Belle Epoch Ribbon Lace Duster Jacket

$1,288

Victorian Black Silk Soutache Braid Lace Jacket

Located in New York, NY

Victorian Black Silk Soutache Braid Lace Jacket

Category

Early 1900s Jackets

Victorian Black Silk Soutache Braid Lace Jacket

$988

Victorian 1890'S Antique Chinese Embroidered Coat

Located in New York, NY

Victorian 1890'S Antique Chinese Embroidered Coat

Category

Early 1900s Chinese Jackets

Victorian 1890'S Antique Chinese Embroidered Coat

$2,800

1980S YOHJI YAMAMOTO Black Wool Twill High-Low Tail Coat With Fringe

By Yohji Yamamoto

Located in New York, NY

1980S YOHJI YAMAMOTO Black Wool Twill High-Low Tail Coat With Fringe

Category

1980s Japanese Coats and Outerwear

1980S YOHJI YAMAMOTO Black Wool Twill High-Low Tail Coat With Fringe

$2,788

Victorian Grey & Black Wool Velvet Men's Frock Coat With Metal Braiding And Gol

Located in New York, NY

Victorian Grey & Black Wool Velvet Men's Frock Coat With Metal Braiding And Gold Buttons

Category

Early 1900s French Jackets

Victorian Grey & Black Wool Velvet Men's Frock Coat With Metal Braiding And Gol

$1,288

1930S Rayon Crepe Gold Sequined Short Sleeve Zipper Front Dinner Jacket

Located in New York, NY

1930S Rayon Crepe Gold Sequined Short Sleeve Zipper Front Dinner Jacket

Category

1930s Bolero Jackets

1930S Rayon Crepe Gold Sequined Short Sleeve Zipper Front Dinner Jacket

$488

Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Jackets

Rare Mariano Fortuny Berry Silk Crepe Coat

Price Upon Request

1980s Thierry Mugler Gold Sequin Jacket Rare

By Thierry Mugler

Located in New York, NY

1980s Thierry Mugler Gold Sequin Jacket; Fitted jacket with lapels, gathered at waist with three gold metal snap closures; Dolman sleeves with notc...

Category

1980s French Dinner Jackets

1980s Thierry Mugler Gold Sequin Jacket Rare

$5,500

GIORGIO SANT'ANGELO METALLIC KIMONO FAN BLOUSE 1970s

By Giorgio di Sant' Angelo

Located in New York, NY

GIORGIO SANT'ANGELO METALLIC KIMONO FAN BLOUSE 1970s Crimped black and gold kimono-cut top, non-conforming black net sash decorated with metallic gold thre...

Category

1970s Italian Jackets

GIORGIO SANT'ANGELO METALLIC KIMONO FAN BLOUSE 1970s

$3,600

Rare 1960s Paco Rabbane Chainmail Jacket

By Paco Rabanne

Located in New York, NY

Rare 1960s Paco Rabbane Chainmail Jacket; Comprised of gold-tone linked metal discs. Open front with no closure.

Category

1960s French Cropped Jackets

Rare 1960s Paco Rabbane Chainmail Jacket

$8,500

Yves Saint Laurent Red Satin Double-Breasted Jacket, A/W 2009.

By Yves Saint Laurent

Located in New York, NY

Yves Saint Laurent Red Satin Double-Breasted Jacket, A/W 2009. Red quilted satin double-breasted jacket with contrasting satin collar and lapel. Jacket features panelling detailing ...

Category

Early 2000s French Double-Breasted Jackets

Yves Saint Laurent Red Satin Double-Breasted Jacket, A/W 2009.

$1,425

1980's Sonia Rykiel France Evening Wear Lightweight Silk Velvet Lame Duster

By Sonya Rykiel

Located in Tustin, CA

Exquisite 1980's evening wear coat, jacket, blazer or duster is lightweight, vented and easy to wear for dining, parties and dancing, with an animal patterned, soft silk velvet and shiny gold lame metallic velvet effect. Collarless coat features wide cap sleeves over long, wide, tapering open air sleeves, generous arm vents, a straight shape with a long back slit, 4 pockets and a neck tie closure. Jacket is unlined. Labeled, "SONIA RYKIEL" and "Made in France" and "Silk 24%, Viscose 29% and Metal 26". Will fit a wide variety of sizes. Shoulder to hem measures 37". Wide, tapering sleeves measure 24.5" long x 17" in circumference at the top (at the opening), tapering to 11" in circumference at the wrist. Bust, waist and hip measures 49" in circumference. Hem sweep measures 55" in circumference. Sonia Rykiel (1930-2016) was an iconic french fashion designer and writer. She is credited with inventing the poor boy...

Category