PEM E80968 Dragon robe, China (19th century)
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Artifact Information
Pale yellow Chinese embroidered silk shawl. Early to mid-19th century. Imported from Guangzhou, China. Chinese crepe shawls such as this, with a ground of "bird-of-Paradise yellow" or "stem yellow" on which cordons of flowers are embroidered are mentioned in 1828 in the Ladies' Monthly Museum of London as "elegant novelties in fashion"[1].
The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA USA. E80968.
Image of Imperial dragon robe.
Summary of results
Yellow thread from the collar seam was samples and analyzed. The major components of the plant are flavonoids: rutin, keampferol and quecetin glycosides. The dyeing source was probably pagoda tree buds.
HPLC profile
References
[1] Worth, S.(1986) "Embroidered China crepe shawls: 1816-1863; Dress 12:43-54.