Virgil (Virgil Harris Mulkey). Chinese Imperial Blue Dragon Robe. Late nineteenth century blue silk robe finely embroidered with eight large gold dragons, clouds, bats, flowers, koi, fire, and a wave pattern along the hems. Smaller dragons and other symbols repeated along collar and down front of garment. Lined with light blue silk; original bronze closures intact. Likely purchased by Virgil Harris Mulkey (The Great Virgil), a collector of Chinese antiques, while touring Asia in the summer of 1953. Mending and repairs evident throughout; some stitching starting to unravel. 52” from collar to bottom hem.