Vintage? Maybe Antique Chinese Robes

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Posted by mpconklin465
15 years ago
AI Appraisal
💬 2 Comments 🗣️ Discuss with Community
Description I have 3 different robes like this that I would like someone to tell me their value, but I will pick just one. This is very heavy, not a lightweight silk Chinese robe. The inside reminds me of a burlap fabric. The robe has what I call wings on the back. It appears to have dragons on it with big green eyes. The robe has many many mirror pieces trimming it. It is also made with what someone told us was rare expensive silver & gold thread. There is embroidered trim on this, too. It is not in the best of condition, but it still has life left in it. The sleeves on this one have been folded under and hemmed with hand stitching. It is a really cool robe. We would like to know the origin, age, and value..as I said, I have three of them...all different.
Category Vintage Textiles and Clothing
Medium Maybe Silk, silver & gold thread, Mirrors,
Condition Fair
Weight Heavy
History Magician Jack Gwynne used them in the 1940's-1950's and then they were passed on to my father-in-law, magician Jerry Conklin and he used them in his magic show. Not sure how old they really are.
eBay Auction Link
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Submitted by Anonymous

Hi,

I believe you have a chinese opera robe, probably dating to the late 19th early 20th century. Due to the damage it appears to have, I believe it wont be worth much more than three to four hundred USD. But you could try to research chinese opera robe prices yourself.

Regards,

Florian

Submitted by Pia Ranslet

Hi  I agree with Florian, it could be a Costume for a Theather or Opera. But the mirrors are not an original part of this costume.You can see that, since the mirrors are brutally added in the middle of the embroidery without care for the different embroidered lines. I guess they were added as extra effect by one of the magicians. This ofcause reduce the value of the robe. Also the robe has been shortened on the sleeves!   I surgest that you find somone who can repaire all the loose treads that hang from the embroidery, before it gets more destroid. It is not difficault to repair. Gold treads are fixed to the material with a yellow tread ! But do not stitch through the lining! A perfect robe can bring in ca 4000-10000 English Pounds on one of the big Auction houses, depending on request . The last 2 years E-bay and Etsy are full of hopeful sellers that  think they can get enourmous sums for their Robes! But even here there is much to learn. It depends on the quality of the embroidery, how many dragons there are , the age and  how perfect the robe is kept!  Of color and ofcause of artistic beauty!  If you try to sell Your Robe it is a good idea to add a photography of the magicians wearing it! Kind regards from Pia
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