Not currently on display at the V&A

Suit

1949-1974 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Man's suit, blue self-patterned silk padded with cotton wadding, China, 1949-74


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Jacket
  • Trousers
Materials and techniques
Self-patterned silk padded with cotton wadding
Brief description
Man's suit, blue self-patterned silk padded with cotton wadding, China, 1949-74
Gallery label
This man's suit, cut in traditional Chinese style, was made for Sir John Addis to wear while riding his bicycle around Beijing when serving in the British diplomatic service there. Worn over his European clothes, the suit's blue colour, worn by many Chinese during the years he lived in Beijing, made him a little less conspicuous among the crowds on the street. The suit's fabric was not, however, commonly worn by the Chinese people at that time.
Credit line
Addis Bequest
Object history
Made by a Chinese tailor for Sir John Addis to wear while riding his bicycle around Beijing when serving in the British diplomatic service there.

Registered File number 1965/3344.
Bibliographic references
  • Wilson, Verity, Chinese Dress, London: V&A Publications, 1986, page 81, fig. 71
  • Wilson, Verity, 'A Diplomat's Collection: The Chinese Textiles of Sir John Addis' in Arts of Asia, vol.33, number 2, 2003, pp. 90-101, plate 26
Collection
Accession number
FE.94&A-1983

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
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