Long-sleeve Black Velvet Cheongsam with Orange Burnt Motifs Front

Featuring a silhouette with the shoulders and sleeves in one seamless piece, narrow single-color piping, few simple frogs but many hidden snap fasteners, a diagonal placket stretching from collar to the right side of waist, this piece of gown serves as a testimony to the trend of reduced use of traditional techniques while keeping the essence of traditions in the cheongsam-making industry of that era.
Made of dark-color velvet with a gleaming luster and burnt motifs, this piece, trimmed with a decorous shape without any unnecessary adornment, was a perfect choice for the elderly women in the past. The smooth, soft-touching textile accentuates the feminine figure of the wearer even without a tight-fitting cut.
The thoughtfulness of the tailor of this gown is also shown on the selection of lining for the high-standing collar, namely, jacquard satin instead of velvet was chosen as lining for the well-being of the wearer and convenience of washing.
The museum thanks Mr. Chen of Beijing for donating this item.