China, 19th century. Silk with multi-colored and gold threads, inside with pale blue silk lining, three metal buttons and loops at the front. This dark blue coat shows eight finely embroidered roundels with picturesque landscapes amid floral sprays. At the lower end a wave pattern is interchanging with bamboo and rock formations. Light blue silk bands embroidered in relief adorn the sleeves.
Condition: Excellent condition with only minimal wear, stains and traces of use. Provenance: Dame Eva Turner, DBE (1892-1990), and thence by descent within the same family. Dame Turner was an English dramatic soprano with an international reputation. Her strong yet steady voice was renowned for its clarion power in Italian and German opera. Her title role in Turandot is legendary and recordings of her from before the war are being released until this day. An autographed photo of Dame Turner, dated London 1939, is accompanying this lot.
Dimensions: Maximum width ca. 120 cm (measured from sleeve end to sleeve end)