Mandarin Style Jacket
Place of ManufactureAsia
MediumMaterial: satin; coloured thread; gold thread
DimensionsOverall: 114 x 102.8 cm
ClassificationsDECORATIVE ART
Credit LineCollection of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Object number1976.022.001
DescriptionThe jacket is made of black satin. It opens from the middle of the collar all the way down to the hem. On both sides of this vertical opening is an embroidered border done in blue, white & gold thread. There are motifs of butterfly(symbol of joy & summer), peony(symbol of spring, love, beauty & wealth), & plum(symbol of winter & longevity). On each of the sleeve-cuffs is a border of grey silk woven with a hidden design of clouds, bats(symbol of happiness & longevity) & lotus(symbol of summer & fruitfulness); & embroidered with the 8 Buddhist symbols: canopy, lotus , umbrella, fish, jar, mystic knot, conch & wheel of the law. These are seen against a background of flowers. Canopy-symbol of a monarch, shelters all living things; lotus-symbol of purity, rises unblemished through muddy water; state umbrella-symbol of an incorruptible official; fish-symbol of non-striving & abundance; jar-holds the amrita or water of life; mystic knot-everlasting, unending love of Buddha; conch- the call to worship; wheel of law-the ever-turning cycle of transmigrationStatus
Not on view
