Han-style Apron Skirt

Han-style Apron Skirt, China, 20th century, made of ivory silk, the front and back panels each couched in gold- wrapped threads with a front-facing dragon surrounded by clouds and four cranes embroidered in Peking knot stitch, the pleats embellished with phoenixes and dragons, all above a lishui border, the black silk trimmings embroidered in shades of blue with flowers. Provenance: From the estate of Richard Young, Van Hornesville, New York. This collection originally belonged to his stepmother, Louise Powis Brown Young, who amassed the textiles during the first quarter of the 20th century.