Antique Purple Uchikake Wedding Gown, Peacock & Peonies
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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Pre 1920: Item # 616861
Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Pre 1920: Item # 616861
Price On Request
Beautiful Uchikake (formal gown worn over a kosode kimono by the wealthy women of the Edo period) with a pair of peacocks and peonies, "the flowers of riches and honors". I am not sure how this gown was worn- with a loose belt or no belt, with the hem up or down? The gorgeous gowns that I have seen in photos (Mitsui Collection?) were maternity gowns for the Mitsui princess in the late Edo to Meiji period. Their maternity gowns had a skinny belt attached in the back. This gown has a skinny belt attached inside. Looking at the condition (excellent, clean), I have to assume that this was a wedding gown that was worn only once. The length is short as expected in older gowns. The dimensions are: 59" long, 49" wide sleeve to sleeve and the lengh of each sleeve is 24 3/4" long. The gown is heavily padded at the bottom and lined with a soft silk that was dyed with red "beni" (traditional red dye made from beni flowers). Circa, Taisho period.
