Page 96 - Chiense TExtiles, MET MUSEUM Pub 1934

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
(see fig. 38). In some instances the robes are studded
with buttons of eighteenth-century glass. An especial! y
charming example is a female warrior's robe (fig. 33)
where the glass buttons are interspersed amongst crosses
of gold applique. One warrior robe is made of imported
vel vet with panels of imported brocade (figs. 36, 37)
but is embroidered and appliqued with the usual exag-
gerated warrior motives of the Chinese theater, result-
ing in a magnificent incongruity.
In contrast to the eighteenth-century theatrical robes
are three of nineteenth-century type which we believe
to be from the imperial theater- a three-piece costume
representing a woman's wedding garments, an emper-
_or's robe of gigantic proportions in green satin with
gold dragons, 17 and a court dancer's robe embellished
with innumerable streamers and cloud collars.

PRIEST ROBES

The priest robes are of several varieties. The straight rec-
tangular type was traditionally used by Buddhist priests,
and also a variant of it in which one end is gored. This
robe as it is worn is suggestive of the Roman toga (see
fig. 31). It is draped under the right arm and over the
left shoulder, where it falls in a vertical line and is held
in place by a cord and a jade ring fastened in front on
the left side. The Lamaist Buddhist robe is practically
square, with one side cut to the middle and shaped into
17 .On loan from Dr. Hammond 1 )
86