Entry/Object ID
214 ChineseDescription
Chinese woman's formal court vest, or xiapei (hsia-pei), fashioned from dark blue silk brocade and richly embroidered with auspicious motifs in shades of gold, ivory, blue, coral, and green. The sleeveless, open-front garment features intricate dragon embroidery, stylized clouds, and elaborate wave and mountain borders, with long golden silk tassels suspended from the hem. The upper panels are decorated with ceremonial ornaments and landscape motifs, including a crane in flight.
The vest incorporates rank badges on the front and back, described as depicting either the mythical xiezhi, associated with censorial officials, or a crane, denoting the first rank of the civil bureaucracy. Such badges communicated the official status of the wearer's husband and formed an important element of Qing Dynasty women's ceremonial court attire.Acquisition
Acquisition Method
PurchaseAmount Paid
$7,000.00Date
Feb 2, 1993Acquired From
Jon Eric RiisDisposition
Disposition Method
SaleDate Disposed
May 19, 2018Sale Price
$13,600.00Transferred/Sold To
Jon Eric RiisName/Title
#214 Chinese Woman's Embroidered Dark Blue Silk Court Vest (Xiapei) with Rank Badge