Bluestone silk Xiapei embroidered with dragon and cloud patterns and a square sliver pheasant decoration

This is the waistcoat of a noble lady made from black satin and blue silk. On both sides, a flower pattern lines the embroidered motifs. There is a square decorative piece in the center and multi-colored tassels hanging down from the bottom. Xiapei coats appeared in ancient times and were popular during the Qing and Ming dynasties. They are still worn by women today. In the past, the Xiapei worn by a woman would have a decorative patch corresponding to that found on male clothing. The pattern embroidered on this patch was generally determined by the status of the woman's husband or son. However, the wives and mothers of military officers would have a bird pattern, rather than an animal pattern. This signifies that women were born to be elegant and refined, with no need of the martial virtues.