Blue silk semi-official women's dress with shou sign decoration, China, circa 1900 The blue silk dress is embroidered in gold metallic thread with multiple small medallion-shaped shou signs, symbols of longevity. Three trims embroidered with polychrome and gold threads line the sleeves, collar and bottom of the dress. The first is embroidered on a beige background with scaled dragons facing each other in pursuit of the flaming pearl; the second is embroidered with fenghuang among peonies, various flowers, double gourds and double scrolls. The last is embroidered in gold metallic thread on a black background with a swastika frieze. The dress closes on the right side with five buttons, of which only one, in copper alloy, is original. Pink lining. H. 132 cm (stains and wear in the silk)