The Fashion & Textiles collections of Kew Historical Society include a number of art or household textiles manufactured or created in the United Kingdom as well as in Australia. As other cultures opened to Australian travellers in the 20th century, members began collecting and donating textiles produced in a number of other countries. Evening bag constructed from two silk embroidered Chinese rank badges. Authentic badges would have been used on Imperial court costumes in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The badges that comprise the bag are identical and were probably sold as souvenirs in Hong Kong during the 20th century. bags, evening bags, mandarin squares, chinese rank badges

In Chinese embroidery, the combination of bats, peacocks, and peony roses creates a rich tapestry of highly auspicious symbols, primarily associated with wishes for happiness, wealth, beauty, and high rank. When these motifs appear together, as they often do in intricate antique textiles or Mandarin squares, they collectively represent a desire for a life filled with wealth, prestige, and abundant happiness. Magenta brocade with embroidered motifs of bats, peacocks and peony roses in coloured silks using satin stitch. Jacket is edged with a band of black silk embroidered with blue peony roses.embroidery, silk embroidery, oriental, garments, 1900-20, china