silk blue and gold brocade patchwork, lined, gold backing, orange material

Buddhist priest’s robe with design of chrysanthemums and peonies, 18th-19th century

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Kesa are outer garments worn by Buddhist priests. Traditionally, they were pieced together from scraps of fabric rescued from old clothing donated by members of the community, an act symbolic of the historical Buddha’s rejection of wealth. Sewing the scraps together serves as an act of meditation as a monk concentrates his attention on the creation of the garment and reverence for the Buddha’s teachings. Kesa, however, can also be quite luxurious, as with the examples here. This is because they were sometimes made from rich fabrics donated by wealthy patrons.

Details
Title
Buddhist priest’s robe with design of chrysanthemums and peonies
Role
Artist
Accession Number
95.117
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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silk blue and gold brocade patchwork, lined, gold backing, orange material