Minneapolis Institute of Art

Formal court robe altered for Lamaist ritual dance

Tibet

Date: late 19th century
Medium: Silk brocade and damask
Department: Asian Art
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Art

Lamaist (Tibetan Buddhist) dancers wore colorful robes like this one when performing at religious festivals held at monasteries. 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 court presented many dragon-festooned robes, along with other tribute silks, to monasteries in both China and Tibet. Asia

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