Qing Dynasty. 18^th-19^th centuries

China National Silk Museum, Hangzhou

H80cm, W118cm

With center front opening panels and legged buttons, this blue riding jacket is a special material known as Zhang style velvet where a pattern, in this case a large spray of floral motif, is woven into piles first and then cut to make the raised pattern into velvet. The patterns here are seen on the front, back and sleeves. Riding jackets like this one are part of a man’s outfit commonly seen during the first few decades of the 20^th century in China. (XY)