Robe

Buddhist priest robe of embroiderd white satin. The patched effect of the robe representing Buddha's mendicant days, is marked off in irregular-sized panels by borders of couched gold threads.In the upper middle panel appears Buddha, with the sacred canopy over his head in the square above. In other panels are further figures of Buddha, Buddhist emblems and 102 Lohans, the figures depicted on banks of clouds. The embroidery is in satin, couched and outline stitch in shades of blue ,green, red, yellow, pink, mulberry, orange, brown, violet and tan. Many details of the figures are embroidered in seed pearl and coral beads. The border is embroidered with figures of Lohans and sprays of leaves in the colors of the field. Lining of gold-colored silk of cloud pattern. Note the jade ring and buckle attached to upper portion of lining. (This robe embroidered at soochow circa 1800. Said to have been presented to Preaching Priest of Lama Temple in Peking by Chia Ch'ing and worn at sutra-reciting ceremonies. {?accuracy as robe was re-dated to XX c.})