Daoist Priest Robe
China, 19th Century
133cm width x 174cm length

A very fine example of a Daoist master’s ‘Robe of Descent’, the most important type of Daoist ritual robe. The Robe of Descent could only be worn by a master and only for the most important parts of the ritual. The robe couched with twisted coloured silk thread and gold-wrapped thread, in places over gold-leafed paper. The technique is almost unique to Daoist vestments and may derive from earlier, needle loop embroidery.