China, Republic. A Chinese Navy Lieutenant & Ensign Uniforms, c.1940

Includes three pieces: Lieutenant's (上尉, Shàngwèi) Tunic (exterior fabricated from navy blue wool, with a tapered design, the front completed by a vertical row of five large bronze buttons on the right side, each of which bears an anchor surmounting by the Republic of China sun insignia, the bottom two buttons marked on their reverses, facing an equal number of reinforced button holes on the left side. Both sleeve cuffs have two stripes in fine gold-colored bullion wire, signifying the rank of Lieutenant, the stripes surmounted by a patch sewn in place, bearing a wreath insignia in rolled copper wire, in various textures, on a circular black embroidered background. The tunic is single-vented at the rear on the right side. The collar comes with a dual hook and eye closure for a secure fit at the neck, the underside lined in dark gray cotton, as is the interior of the tunic itself, the sleeves lined in a black rayon with thin white rules, the tunic measuring 440 mm across the shoulders x 670 mm in length, without interruptions in the fabrics, with intact stitching); Ensign's (少尉, Shàowèi) Tunic (exterior fabricated from black wool, with a tapered design, the opening on both sides lined in a brownish-green wool. The entire exterior is trimmed along the edges in a 31 mm wide multi-ribbed band in black and brown embroidery. The front is completed by a vertical row of eight black plastic buttons on the right side, the ninth button at the top missing, facing an equal number of reinforced button holes on the left side, with a hook and eye closure below the bottom button, all of which are discreetly hidden by the overlapping flap on the left side. Both sleeve cuffs have a stripe in fine gold-colored bullion wire, signifying the rank of Ensign, the stripe surmounted by a patch sewn in place, bearing a wreath insignia in rolled copper wire, in various textures, on a circular black embroidered background. The tunic is double-vented at the rear, one on each side, both vents housing two hook and eye closures. The collar is lined in black cotton on the underside, but is missing its hook and eye closure. The interior is lined in a black cotton-rayon blend, with a pocket sewn in place on the right side, an embroidered label bearing three anchors surmounted by the Republic of China sun insignia and inscribed "NAVY CHINESE" in both English and Chinese sewn in place upon the pocket. The sleeves are lined in a white cotton and contain a pattern consisting on a thick blue rule alternating with three thin black rules, the tunic measuring 400 mm across the shoulders x 660 mm in length, exhibiting wear in multiple locations on the wide multi-ribbed band, lightly soiled) and matching Trousers (exterior fabricated from black wool, with a button down fly incorporating four black plastic buttons on the right side facing an equal number of reinforced button holes on the left side, along with a large hook and eye catch at the waist above. There is a tab on the fly placed beside the top button, the tab with a button hole that is designed to join onto a large black plastic button that is sewn in place on the inside lining on the left side. It has three pockets, one on each side at the front with a traditional hip-side entry and one on the right seat which has a black plastic button and button down flap, all of which are lined in white cotton. The trousers are pleated on the front and have five large belt loops in black wool placed at equal intervals at the waist. The inside is lined in white cotton on the wide band at the waist, along the sides of the fly and in the pockets, with an embroidered manufacturer's label sewn in place at the waist on the left side and stating that the trousers were made in Shanghai. Both cuffs are turned up, measuring 760 mm around at the waist x 1,050 mm in length overall, exhibiting wear on the white cotton lining and light soiling overall, without interruptions in the fabrics, with intact stitching). As worn.