China, early 20th century An embroidered jacket and two embroidered skirts, the jacket in dark blue silk gauze embroidered on the edge and neckline with large blue and white flowers, the sleeve edges in light blue silk embroidered with large peonies and butterflies in gold metallic thread, and two long pleated skirts, one in black silk woven with clouds and embroidered with large peonies in three shades of blue and multicoloured butterflies, the other in cream silk woven with floral scrolls and embroidered with brown and blue butterflies amid peonies, lotus, prunus and other flowers in blue (and white, pink and yellow highlights). Minor repairs and wear, a few stains, holes in the gauze and a detached button on the jacket; heavy wear at the bottom of the skirt. Three rectangular silk strips are attached: one pair in cream silk (originally yellow) woven with a cloud and bat motif embroidered with flowers, bamboo and butterflies in blue and cream, and the last in mauve embroidered with large blue peonies and brown, green and purple butterflies.