{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O106460"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O106460/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BB1320/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BB1320/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006BB1320","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O106460/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O106460","accessionNumber":"T.3B-1914","objectType":"Dress length","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"The embroidered motifs on this length of silk velvet tell us it was made for a young woman's robe or gown. Butterflies and flowers are symbolic of romantic love between a man (the butterfly) and a woman (the flower with nectar). The embroidered peonies reinforce this imagery as peonies are associated with girls of noble and admirable character, and the single white peony indicates the youth, wit and beauty of the intended wearer. Plum and chrysanthemum blossoms are supplementary symbols that sustain the blossoming romance.  \r\n\r\nThe embroidery is a variation of smooth satin and knot stitches, and in this case silk velvet is an unusual choice of fabric because it is not an ideal surface for decorative stitching. The remarkable embroidery found here is a testament to the embroiderer's mastery. The patterns are strategically embroidered to avoid wastage of fabric; this length is to be used on one half of the front and sleeve of a garment. The narrow embroidered strip on the bottom right is to be cut away to form a collarband.","physicalDescription":"Dress length of dark blue velvet, embroidered with butterflies, flowers and fruit in coloured silk threads. It is an untailored piece of Chinese material for a woman's robe.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"silk velvet","id":"x36821"}],"techniques":[{"text":"embroidered","id":"AAT53653"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Embroidered silk velvet in silks","categories":[{"text":"Textiles","id":"THES48885"},{"text":"Embroidery","id":"THES48960"}],"styles":[{"text":"Qing","id":"AAT18478"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":["2006BB1320"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"009","id":"THES313029"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Length","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"China","id":"x29398"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1900","earliest":"1895-01-01","latest":"1904-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by J. Burnet-Geake, Esq.","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"111.1","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"60.3","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Dress length of silk velvet embroidered in silks, China, ca. 1900","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Wilson, Verity. Chinese Textiles, 2nd edition, London: V&A Publications, 2005, plate 88."}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"butterflies","id":"x30135"},{"text":"flowers","id":"x35571"},{"text":"fruits","id":"x30133"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["T.3B-1914"],"accessionNumberNum":"3","accessionNumberPrefix":"T","accessionYear":1914,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-08-23","recordCreationDate":"2004-10-18","availableToBook":true}}