Historic Clothing Collection

A Chinese two-piece skirt from the late Qing Dynasty (late 19th/early 20th century) with a rust colored damask ground, flat back and front panels, multiple narrow flat pleats at the sides, and rich embroidery on the lower front panel. A skirt type typically worn with a longish, loose tunic. Dated 1860-1910.

A blueish-purple velveteen tunic, with short standing collar. Black bands appear across the chest and along the sleeve cuffs. Chinese origin, associated with Toy Len Goon. Dated 1920-1930.

A blue-green-gray collarless wool tunic, machine stitched. Chinese in style, made in the United States by Toy Len Goon after she moved to Maine. Dated circa 1940.

Toy Len Goon's leno patterned hand-sewn tunic, made of Canton mud silk. Glossy black on one side, brown on the reverse. Worn with a pair of woman’s plain weave pants (also of Canton mud silk, glossy black on one side, brown on the reverse) with a blue hemp waistband. Dated 1919-1921.

A fur-lined Jacquard silk coat featuring multi-colored trees, Chinese houses and pergolas, and men in gondolas. Includes a shawl-like fur collar, and orange fur at the cuffs. While the exact wearer is unknown, provenance indicates the coat was made in China for a "missionary's wife." Dated 1920-1930.

Chinese-style child's outfit, likely made for the Chinese tourist market. The tunic jacket closes at front with Chinese-style knots, and is edged in white. A label reads "Peony Brand, Shanghai, China." Worn by Julia B. Dodge, the outfit was purchased oversees by her father Charles W.H. Dodge while abroad on business in China, Hong Kong, and Thailand. Dated 1960-1970.