This rare piece is of very fine quality. Orchids were the Empress Dowager's favourite flower. To produce cut velvet the warp (veritcal) threads on a loom were passed over wires to make a row of loops, which were then cut with a knife for cut-velvet or withdrawn for un-cut.
the front and back with three diagonal sprays of indigo cut velvet orchids on a lighter blue ground of finely ribbed cut silk velvet, bordered with indigo velvet, the front neck and shoulder area secured with black satin loops and seven gold buttons each with a unicorn above an anchor, the lower sides each with loops and gold chased toggles, lined with pale blue cotton, back nect to hem 25 in or 63 cm.
Excellent. The lining has some markings which you should be able to see from the photos. Slightly grubby inside back neck.
For similar design see:
Volmer, John Ruling from the Dragon Throne, p 51 shows a man's waistcoat.
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