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Unknown Maker, Chinese

Jiangyi (robe of descent)

Maker

Unknown Maker, Chinese

Culture

Chinese

Title

Jiangyi (robe of descent)

Year

1800s

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

silk, gilt paper

Geography

Place Made: China

Dimensions

Center back length: 137.8 cm (54 1/4 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Miss Lucy T. Aldrich

Object Number

35.416

Type

Publications

Exhibition History

From the Land of the Immortals
Chinese Taoist Robes and Textiles
Jan 13, 2012 – Apr 22, 2012

Label copy

This robe of descent is distinguished by the elaborate lattice pattern formed by gold-wrapped yarn embroidered on the blue-figured silk ground fabric. Out of this

golden network spring colorful embroidered renditions of the palaces of the Three Purities, sun and moon, fivestoried tower, constellations, symbols of the five sacred

mountains, cranes, and phoenixes. On the front center flaps are embroidered a dragon (wearer left) and a tiger (wearer right). These two animals are associated with

the eastern and the western directions, respectively, and probably refer to two large circumpolar constellations, known as the Green Dragon and the White Tiger, which marked the rising and setting of the sun. The bottom band shows images of the turtle and the snake (which together mark the north) alongside other dragons and horses that float above the green waves. The symbol for the southern direction (a red bird) is not visible here, but may have been marked by the priest’s headdress.

The Seductive Stitch
Asian Embroidery
Dec 15, 1995 – Mar 10, 1996

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Chinese
Jiangyi (robe of descent), 1800s
Silk, gilt paper, metallic-wrapped yarn; compound weave, embroidered
Center back length: 137.8 cm (54 1/4 inches)
Gift of Miss Lucy T. Aldrich 35.416

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