{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O73556"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O73556/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2008BV9878/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2008BV9878/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2008BV9878","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2008BV9877","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2016JL1393","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AH1989","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AH1988","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2012FN0829","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2012FN0830","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2012FN0832","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2012FN0831","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KY5348","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KY5344","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O73556/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O73556","accessionNumber":"T.254-1959","objectType":"Daoist robe","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This type of robe is known as a 'robe of descent' in China. It is a vestment for a Daoist priest. Daoism is China's native religion. The robe sits squarely on the priest's shoulders and is usually only fastened across the front with two silk ties sewn just above waist level. The back, shown here, is the side that has the decoration,","physicalDescription":"Daoist temple robe Jiang yi (robe of descent) of embroidered silk. The robe consists of a large square of satin folded in two, the fold thus forming the shoulder line which continues to the hem of the sleeves. One side of the robe is slashed to the middle and is shaped into a collar. The overall effect is voluminous. The ground of the robe is white satin, heavily embroidered, (particularly across the back) with brightly coloured silks and gold thread. The sleeves, centre front opening, neck and hem line are trimmed with broad embroidered red satin bands. \n\r\nEmbroidered on the back of the robe in the centre is a pagoda surrounded by a number of golden discs which are believed to have some connection with the stars and planets. Above the pagoda are three little gates and on either side the symbols of the sun and moon. The remainder of the field is richly embroidered with imperial dragons, flying cranes, bats and cloud forms. The lower border of red satin bears the eight mystic trigrams. The two fronts are lightly embroidered with flying cranes, cloud forms, bats and flowers.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"silk textile","id":"AAT243428"},{"text":"silk thread","id":"x30127"},{"text":"gold thread","id":"x30128"}],"techniques":[{"text":"satin-weave","id":"x37324"},{"text":"embroidering","id":"AAT53653"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Satin-weave silk; embroidering in silk and gold threads","categories":[{"text":"Clothing","id":"THES48975"},{"text":"Textiles","id":"THES48885"},{"text":"Embroidery","id":"THES48960"}],"styles":[{"text":"Qing","id":"AAT18478"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":["2008BV9878","2008BV9877","2016JL1393","2006AH1989","2006AH1988","2012FN0829","2012FN0830","2012FN0832","2012FN0831","2018KY5348","2018KY5344"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES313092"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Daoist robe (jiangyi)","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"China","id":"x29398"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1800-1900","earliest":"1800-01-01","latest":"1900-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"127","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"183","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Zhu ? Heng zhi","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"made by Zhu ? Heng","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Inscribed in the lower satin border.\r\n"},{"content":"Zhuge ci Xuandi miao ji zhi fa yi ","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"Zhuge Temple / Dark Emperor Temple / made ceremonial robe","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Inscribed on coarse linen bearing."}],"objectHistory":"According to registration records, this robe was purchased from Mrs M. C. Gilroy in 1959.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Robe, satin-weave silk; embroidering in silk and gold threads, China, 1800-1900","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Daoist universe","id":"x35841"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Daoist ritual robe\r\nQing dynasty\r\n1800-1900\r\n\r\nThis robe is known as a 'robe of descent' (jiang yi). Deities were invited to 'descend' on the Daoist priest wearing the robe, empowering him during the ritual. The embroidered decorations symbolise the heavenly cosmos.\r\n\r\nEmbroidery on silk\r\nMuseum no. T.254-1959","date":{"text":"2010","earliest":"2010-01-01","latest":"2010-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["T.254-1959"],"accessionNumberNum":"254","accessionNumberPrefix":"T","accessionYear":1959,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-08-23","recordCreationDate":"2003-01-29","availableToBook":true}}