Chinese, China

This robe differs in structure and significance from the others in this exhibition. Unlike the poncho-like jiangyi that was worn by Grand Masters, the daopao (道袍) is
a sleeved robe for middle-rank Taoist priests. Its form is ancient, and today it is rarely found in museum collections, probably because it was mistakenly perceived as a more ordinary garment. Daopao are usually simpler than the Grand Master robes. This one, however, appears to have the same imagery (patch with sun, moon, heavens of Three Purities, constellations around the golden tower) as the jiangyi. This daopao is still lined with the original hemp fabric customary for Taoist robes. A name (Yan Lang, 言朗, possibly that of the maker or the owner) is inscribed with ink on the inside lining.