Chinese Green Ground Floral Silk Qipao
Made in Shanghai, Republic Period, circa 1932–1934

Material: Silk.

Approximate Measurements: Shoulders: 16 inches (42 cm), Length (Collar to Hem): 51 1/4 inches (133 cm), Bust: 30 1/2 inches (79 cm), Waist: 33 1/2 inches (85 cm).

This elegant qipao is fashioned from pale green silk woven with an all-over floral design rendered in shades of green and silvery white. The repeating blossoms and foliage create a lively yet refined decorative effect, reflecting the light, graceful aesthetic favored by fashionable women in Republican-era Shanghai. The harmonious color palette combines traditional Chinese elegance with the modern sensibilities that characterized urban dress during the first half of the twentieth century.

The garment features a high standing collar, asymmetrical right-side closure, and a slender, body-conscious silhouette typical of mature qipao design. Particularly noteworthy are the six pairs of finely executed hand-crafted appliqué pankou (Chinese knot buttons) that extend diagonally across the front of the dress. Formed from blue-green silk cord, these raised ornamental knots provide both functional fastening and sophisticated decoration. Matching silk piping along the collar, front opening, sleeve edges, and side slits further enhances the visual unity of the design.

The short sleeves are cut with subtly extended shoulders, a fashionable feature often seen in high-quality Shanghai-made qipaos of the 1930s and 1940s. This tailoring treatment broadens the shoulder line while preserving the graceful contours of the garment, reflecting the influence of contemporary international fashion on Chinese dressmakers. The careful construction, refined proportions, and elaborate hand-worked closures suggest that this was a well-made custom garment intended for a stylish and discerning wearer.

Representing the height of Republican-period Shanghai fashion, this qipao embodies the successful fusion of traditional Chinese craftsmanship and modern urban elegance. It stands as an excellent example of the sophisticated dress culture that flourished in Shanghai and later accompanied Chinese immigrant communities abroad.

绿色地花卉纹丝绸旗袍
民国时期，上海，约1932–1934年

材质： 丝绸

尺寸： 肩宽16英寸（42厘米）；衣长（领至下摆）51 1/4英寸（133厘米）；胸围30 1/2英寸（79厘米）；腰围33 1/2英寸（85厘米）。

本件旗袍以浅绿色丝绸制成，通体织饰绿色与银白色相间的花卉纹样。反复排列的花朵与枝叶构成生动而雅致的装饰效果，展现出民国时期上海时尚女性所推崇的轻盈、优雅与精致气质。柔和和谐的色彩搭配既保留了中国传统服饰的典雅韵味，也体现出二十世纪上半叶都市时装所具有的现代审美特征。

旗袍采用高立领、右衽斜襟及修长贴体的剪裁，为成熟期上海旗袍最具代表性的设计之一。尤为引人注目的是前襟沿线排列的六对手工制作立体贴饰盘扣。盘扣以蓝绿色丝线盘结而成，造型饱满精致，兼具实用功能与装饰效果。领口、前襟、袖缘及开衩处均施以同色系丝质滚边，使整体设计更加统一协调，充分展现出高级定制服装对于细节处理的重视。

短袖采用略微加宽的肩部设计，这种处理方式在三十年代上海高档旗袍中颇为流行。它不仅强化了肩部线条，也使整体轮廓更显挺拔优雅，在保持女性柔美气质的同时增添几分现代感。这种剪裁手法反映出当时上海时装界对于国际流行趋势的吸收与融合。精确的比例控制、流畅的线条设计以及精致的手工盘扣工艺，都显示出本件作品出自经验丰富的高级裁缝之手。

作为民国时期上海旗袍风格的典型代表，本件作品成功融合了中国传统服饰工艺与现代都市时尚审美。无论是清雅明丽的色彩、优美流畅的轮廓，还是制作精良的盘扣与滚边细节，均体现出上海作为近代中国时尚中心所达到的高度艺术成就。它不仅是一件精美的服饰作品，也见证了上海现代服饰文化的发展历程，以及旗袍作为中国女性经典服装走向世界的历史进程。

Size small. Overall good condition. For condition report, please contact the Asian Art Department.