Daoist Priest Robe

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Daoist Priest Robe

Artist: Unknown

Culture: Chinese

Dynasty: Qing

Date: 19th century

Medium: Silk satin

Dimensions:

length: 48 in. (121.9 cm)

width: 64 1/2 in. (163.8 cm)

Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of Mrs. William Chilton

Object number: 66.213.9

Label Text

This robe was worn by Taoist priest when officiating rituals. Taoism is an indigenous Chinese religion with origins in the first century AD. The earliest extant Taoist robe is from the late twelfth century, and shape of the robe demonstrates the conservative nature of the ceremony. The robe rests on the shoulders and its simple cut utilizes the full width of a bolt of silk. The lower parts of the sides are sewn together, leaving the robe’s upper part to cover the arms. The robe’s back is embroidered with lavender roundels containing six of the Eight Immortals, a group of deities revered in Taoism. The dots around the central golden pagoda represent the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions—constellation deities in the Taoist pantheon. Above the pagoda, three additional, larger dots symbolize three Taoist heavens, with symbols of the sun and the moon at either side.

Not on view

The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.

Artwork

Daoist Priest Robe

Daoist Priest Robe