Woman's Dragon Robe

Imperial robe, probably woman's, of sand colored satin embroidered with weight 5-clawed dragons, tight cloud forms, bats, Buddhist emblems and flowers in shades of pale blue, ivory, tan and soft brown. Border with shallow area of straight-edged slanting stripes topped with rolling waves dotted with large peony blossoms and swastika. Narrow cuffs, collar and band of brown satin embroidered with floral pattern in shades of blue and white in satin stitch. Embroidery on body chiefly of satin stitch, but dragons in couched gold, emblems, red flowers in border of knot stitch. Slit at sides and lined with sand-colored satin. Robe has a look of great age and is stained noticeably along back border.