Asian PJs and robe
15 January 2026
Description

Brought back from Asia in 1940-1950's by my grandfather (merchant marine at that time) to my mother. Silk clothing with elaborate golden thread embroidery. Family legend states from Japan or China, unknown if true.

Dimensions

Robe 50" long, 23" wide at shoulders. PJ top 23" long, 17" wide at shoulders. Pants 37" long, 18" wide at hips

Acquired from
Inherited
For sale
Yes
Answered within about 7 hours
By David U.
Jan 16, 07:12 UTC
Fair Market Value
$600 - $1,000 USD
Insurance Value $0 USD
What does this mean?

Hello, this item is a three piece Asian silk garment set consisting of a long robe, a pajama style top, and matching trousers, all executed in bright blue silk and decorated with elaborate raised gold thread embroidery. The imagery features five claw style dragons, clouds, waves, mountains, and architectural motifs, elements drawn from Chinese imperial visual language but widely adapted for export and souvenir garments in East Asia during the mid 20th century. The construction, cut, and proportions do not correspond to formal Qing dynasty court robes or Japanese kimono, but instead align with post war decorative lounge garments produced for the Western market, particularly in Japan during the Occupied Japan period or in China slightly later. The thick, couched gold embroidery, vivid synthetic dyed silk, and absence of maker labels are all consistent with export production from approximately the 1940s to early 1950s, often sold to foreign servicemen and merchant mariners.

The condition appears overall good, with visible creasing, minor wear, and some distortion to the silk consistent with age and storage, but no major losses or structural damage apparent in the images. Sets that remain complete with robe, top, and trousers are less common than single garments and therefore carry stronger decorative and collector appeal. These pieces are valued as mid century Asian export textiles rather than as traditional ceremonial dress. Based on current market results for comparable embroidered silk export garment sets from Japan or China of this period, the fair market value of the complete ensemble is estimated in the range of USD 600 to USD 1,000, with value driven by visual impact, completeness, and condition rather than historical court status.

Laura akers Jan 16, 19:39 UTC

New images submitted. Gold embroidery on robe elevated to approx 1/2 inch, on PJ top 1/4 inch. No manufacturer's mark or labels anywhere on them. Appears to be silk, possibly kimono robe. (Grandfather also brought back dinnerware labeled "Made in occupied Japan". I assume this is from the same time period.)

Do you have a similar item and want to know how much it’s worth?

Communicate directly with a qualified specialist and get a fair market valuation of your item, typically in 48 hours or less.

Similar item appraisals

4 Mar, 2026
Woodblock print
Asian art
Estimate: No appraisals
4 Mar, 2026
Son 2
Asian art
Estimate: No appraisals
3 Mar, 2026
Primitive Bark Br...
Asian art
Estimate: No appraisals
3 Mar, 2026
Japanese vase ?Sa...
Asian art
Estimate: No appraisals
3 Mar, 2026
Daga de acero asi...
Asian art
Estimate: No appraisals
2 Mar, 2026
4 Buddha statues
Asian art
Estimate: No appraisals
1 Mar, 2026
Chinese carved ja...
Asian art
Estimate: No appraisals
28 Feb, 2026
GREEN TARA STATUE...
Asian art
Estimate: $600 - $900
27 Feb, 2026
Delhi painting of...
Asian art
Estimate: No appraisals