ROBE INFORMELLE EN SOIE VERTE CLAIR BRODÉE, CHANGYIFin du XIXe siècleAN EMBROIDERED PALE GREEN SILK SATIN MANCHU LADIES INFORMAL ROBE, CHANGYILate 19th centuryThe pale green silk satin finely embroidered in an even satin stitch on the front and back panels with sprigs of flowering prunus branches, with wide borders in black silk satin accentuating the sleeves, the neck, side, and hems similarly embroidered with flowering prunus branches in satin stitch, the pattern repeated on the cream silk satin cuffs, the interior lined with yellow silk.150cm long x 135cm wide (59in long x 53 1/8in wide)Provenance: THE PROPERTY OF A LADY 女士藏品十九世紀晚期 淺綠色緞綉花卉紋氅衣Provenance:Acquired by the family in China between 1895 and 1922, and thence by descent來源:1895年至1922年閒蒐集於中國，並由後人保存迄今Informal robes worn by Manchu womenprised two styles of long robes, thechangyi with two side slits highlighted by decorative borders, and thechenyi with narrower sleeves and no side slit such as the present robe. Informal, colourful robes lavishly embroidered with designs carrying layers of symbolism, were not regulated by official codes and could therefore be styled in multiple colours, motifs and shapes. The finely embroidered sprays of prunus blossoms scattered across the light green background on this robe suggest that it was supposed to be worn in the spring.