Historical information

Symbolism:
Woman with a fan (shan) - a symbol of longevity and a pun for goodness.
Gourds: fertility and good fortune.
Peony: wealth and honour (fugui).
Blossoms: bring forth fruit and therefore bring forth prosperity.
Meander pattern: represents longevity.

Physical description

Lemon silk skirt lined with coral coloured silk. There is a broad cotton waist band with loops at each end, through which a tie would have been used to fasten the skirt. The reason for the cotton at the top was so that it didn't slip, as silk would have done.
There is a central front panel bordered in black satin. within this is an embroidered floral and 'meander' or Greek key pattern.
The 'meander' pattern is done in couched goldwork. Within this is another border of embroidered, machine made braid.
The central motif of two women in a garden setting is embroidered on silk mesh and appliqued onto the background fabric.
One of the women holds a fan, the other has her arms raised up and she bends slightly forward.
Behind the woman with the fan there a is a little fence/bridge. To the left of the other woman is what appears to be a vase with a flower, next to what may be a gourd shaped vase.
Worked in Pekin knot stitch and couched gold.