Edwardian Silk Opera Coat * Hand Embroidery

c1900 Beautifully Embroidered Silk Evening Coat or Wrap.   It is attributed to S. Iida Takashimaya....a remarkable Japanese retail company.  During this period the Western World was having a love affair...in fashion and elsewhere....with Asian ..Oriental back then....cultures. 

**This type of coat was made in Japan for export to the wealthy European or American customers.  

**...........from the Kyoto Costume Institute "Towards the end of the 19th century major kimono shops....such as Iida Takashimaya and Mitsukoshi showed interest in the Western European markets and greatly expanded their foreign trade business.   Silk coats.....such as this one...with Japanese embroidery were created for export.  This theatre coat we are offering is very similar to the one displayed in the Kyoto Costume Institute book...pg 308. (see photo)

**The body of the coat is a pale....sort of mauvey shell pink...silk.  The silk has bit more body, not as stiff as taffeta, but not soft and drapey.  It is covered with hand embroidery.  The motif is tree Peonies....very Japanese.  The entire coat has a hand embroidered border.  It closes in front with embossed spherical round brass buttons and loops. 

**The coat is lined in a lightweight pink silk.  Classic Chinese coat style with its wide flaring body and large flaring sleeves.

C O N D I T I O N:  It presents beautifully and issues do not get in the way of use or presentation.  Overall very good condition.  It has been cleaned.  Silk is supple.  Lining has some stains and needs to be reattached in parts, has small repair in center.  Neck of coat has split at edge and has been reenforced, there is a repair at back of neck.  There are some subtle yellowish spots, and one that shows a bit more at the hem  (see photo).  Some minor splits in silk body.