Convention of a Married Woman

This pays homage to the customs of the Manchu married women who wore decorative headbands to accompany the conventional hairstyle.

The primary design of this piece is a draped silk velvet peony. The peony is the most popular botanical motif in China. As the “king of flowers,” it is equivalent to the first rank among officials. This flower is closely associated with royalty because it was grown in the imperial gardens. (Bartholomew, 2006)

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“When Manchu women marry, it was convention for women to wear their hair drawn back into a bun, causing a receding hairline. Women would wear a shaped and embroidered band across her forehead for warmth. ” (A Collector’s Guide to Chinese Dress Accessories)

Materials
Silk Rayon Velvet, Chinese Silk Jacquard

Symbolic Interpretations

• Peony symbolizes wealth and honour