Qi Pao

Overview: In Mandarin this garment is known as Qi Pao; in Cantonese it is referred to as cheong sam. It is made from silk satin and has colorful embroidery.

Construction: This qi pao has a metal zipper, which is a modern closing, under the right arm with a tab made of metal chain (visible in one of the detail images). It is machine-made with hand embroidery, most of which is satin stitch. See supplemental pages for additional information.

Trim: All the embroidery has been done by hand in satin stitch. The frog closure at the neck and over the right shoulder are hand-stitched in place. The chrysanthemums are the variety called "spider mums" mainly done in silk thread but with some metallic thread accents. There is a narrow embroidered border, mainly in metallic threads, that outlines the bottom edge and the side slits.

Provenance: Found in costume storage in the Department of Dramatic Art.

Damage: There are some rust stains on the body of the garment likely caused by moisture and contact between the fabric and the metal zipper.