Silk Chinese Coat Worn by Eleanor Roosevelt

Hand-embroidered silk Chinese coat. The jacket is made of light grey-lavender silk with a white flower and scroll pattern. The edge and neckline of the coat are decorated with a very wide border consisting of various bands, each with a different decorative theme and color scheme. The largest band is of gold metallic thread and has small embroidered scenic vignettes. The coat is slit on both sides and fastens on the left side with five small gold buttons and black loops. The sleeves are very wide and unadorned. The interior of the coat is lined in salmon-colored silk. On the interior left side, by the opening, is a 15" wide decorated and embroidered panel that matches the rest of the coat. Coat was worn by Eleanor Roosevelt. Given to her by Madame Chiang Kai-shek. FDR Library Museum Collection, MO 2005.1.1.