This sequin embroidery top of a ‘qungua’ (裙褂) set was worn by the owner for her wedding dinner in 1959. The ‘qungua’ comprised of a jacket and a skirt. Phoenix predominated in the design because it symbolises empress, as the bride is considered the empress on her wedding day. The jacket used to be black but by the middle of the 20th century, the jacket was also made in red to match the skirt. Hence, the outfit was also called a ‘hong gua’ (红褂). After the wedding, the skirt and jacket could be worn for other celebrations such as Chinese New Year. The dragon and phoenix predominated in the design, often with the metal couched threads covering the entire area of satin.
