Chinese silk embroidered short robe, depicting court scenes and floral motifs in primarily variegated blues and white, varied stitchwork, with couched metallic gold threadwork above waves, mountains and rocks, all on black ground. Sleeve panels with detailed pavilions and landscapes, polychrome, done in the forbidden stitch/peking knot on blue ground. Five Pankou/frog closures at front. Short side slits, blue silk lining. Likely late Qing Dynasty or early Republic of China. Length 39.5 inches, sleeve to sleeve 52.5 inches. Provenance: From the Estate of Margaret Orr Childs; first purchased in Asia by Ambassador George W. Guthrie, and thence by descent through the family. Guthrie was appointed United States Ambassador to Japan on May 20, 1913. He was accredited as special Ambassador and represented the President and the people of the United States at the funeral of Empress Shoken, the Dowager Empress of Japan, on April 7, 1914, and was the personal representative of President Wilson at the coronation of Emperor Taisho of Japan on September 30, 1915. He died while at that post in Tokyo in 1917, after collapsing while playing golf with an American reporter. The Japanese government sent the armored cruiser Azuma to return his body to San Francisco as a mark of respect.

In good overall condition, apart from some light staining at sleeve edges, one small area of wear at back center, small fray at top of one side slit, small amount of loose threads. Merchandise will be packed and transported by the purchaser at their own risk and expense. A list of recommended shippers is on our website: https://www.conceptgallery.com/auctions/shipping/ .