ma mian qun (Apron Skirt)

Han-style plated apron skirt known as Ma Mian Qun (馬面裙/马面裙) (literally, ‘horse face skirt’) typically worn by Han women and originated during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).

The donor, Mary Stimpson was born in China in 1920 and lived there with her family until 1938. Her father was a US citizen who originally worked in the import/export business. Her parents arrived in China around 1915.

Gold-coloured silk ma mian qun (馬面裙/马面裙) or apron skirt with a thin black border, and heavily embroidered with multi-coloured flowers. The front and back decorated panels are embroidered in the lower portion of the skirt with multi-coloured designs edged by a thin blue with black ribbon. The skirt is pleated and flares out toward the hemline. Interior lined with a light blue silk. The wide beige waistband has a loop on each side (one of which gets covered when wrapped).