(Initially a 'ch'ao-fu' court robe; altered in Tibet for ritual Lamaist dances, large triangular panels and striped cuffs were added to the original tapered sleeves.) Court Robe of dark blue satin; in upper section, back and front, a shaped panel extending over shoulders with large four-clawed dragon in gold; clouds, bats, and Eternal Sea motif in shades of blue, green, yellow, rose and rust; at back and front waistline, where skirt of robe is seamed to upper section, a band of dragons and clouds in gold and colors; a wider band of the same borders the skirt all around ten inches from the bottom; collar band and border of gold and black floral brocade; standing collar of fuschia cotton; large wing-like sleeves made of black satin and strips of green, yellow and crimson satin brocade with an outer border of the black and gold floral brocade; canvas lining; note tailoring of this robe, with the wide skirt caught into stiff pleats over the hips, and the long, triangular sleeves; A.P.( Alfred Pillsbury) thinks a court robe remodelled for Lama Dances

Formal Court Robe Altered for Lamaist Ritual Dance, late 19th century

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Lamaist (Tibetan Buddhist) dancers wore colorful robes like this one when performing at religious festivals held at monasteries. The robe is actually an import from China. Initially a Chinese court robe, it was altered in Tibet, where the addition of large triangular panels and striped cuffs dramatically refashioned the original, tapered sleeves. Court robes with a dragon embroidered on the neck/chest were popular with Himalayan Buddhists. The Qing dynasty (1636–1912) court presented many dragon-festooned robes, along with other tribute silks, to monasteries in both China and Tibet.

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Details
Title
Formal Court Robe Altered for Lamaist Ritual Dance
Role
Artist
Dimension
L.53-1/2 in.
Accession Number
42.8.291
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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(Initially a 'ch'ao-fu' court robe; altered in Tibet for ritual Lamaist dances, large triangular panels and striped cuffs were added to the original tapered sleeves.) Court Robe of dark blue satin; in upper section, back and front, a shaped panel extending over shoulders with large four-clawed dragon in gold; clouds, bats, and Eternal Sea motif in shades of blue, green, yellow, rose and rust; at back and front waistline, where skirt of robe is seamed to upper section, a band of dragons and clouds in gold and colors; a wider band of the same borders the skirt all around ten inches from the bottom; collar band and border of gold and black floral brocade; standing collar of fuschia cotton; large wing-like sleeves made of black satin and strips of green, yellow and crimson satin brocade with an outer border of the black and gold floral brocade; canvas lining; note tailoring of this robe, with the wide skirt caught into stiff pleats over the hips, and the long, triangular sleeves; A.P.( Alfred Pillsbury) thinks a court robe remodelled for Lama Dances