I don't know if there is anyone here into antique Chinese textiles, but I would love to learn more about this piece. It is an antique Chinese "cloud collar" worn over the shoulders, point down, stiffened to stand out from the shoulders. It is hand embroidered and most of the symbols are longevity symbols. (chrysanthemum, butterfly, peaches, crane etc.) The peacock, which is front and center when worn, is symbolic of dignity and beauty. Below and left of the peacock is a Mandarin duck, symbolic of marital bliss. There is one lone bat, symbolic of luck, and the lotus flower symbolic of good fortune.
This one also has tiny metal-rimmed mirrors all over it.
I've been trying to read more about these and I so far I have learned that they were worn mostly by the wealthy and could take as long as one month to create. Quite often they were worn for weddings and I think that could be what this is, since we have the Mandarin duck and the peacock as central figures, although there are no dragons and phoenix motifs on this, which is typical of the husband and wife for weddings. I'm not sure what the tradition would be for a part of bride's trousseau.
Value-wise they typically seem to run about $200 - $500, the highest I have seen is $800. I got this one for $60.
I'd love to hear anything from anyone on this! I think people quit wearing these about 1911, but I am not sure about that.
Lower point is the front that would lay on the chest
Front point, peacock in center, Mandarin duck below the peacock to the right