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Hello. I recently acquired this Taoist robe from a dealer in Guizhou. It is listed as Yao, from Hunan, hemp with silk embroidery. It is estimated to be between 50 to 80 years old, but I think it could be older.

I will attempt to post my first photos to the Forum. Apologies if these do not come through.

I have not seen anything quite like this robe, and I would appreciate all comments on it. Thank you. Nina Williams

Nina

What a simply stunning textile!

I think I have seen other Hunan Yao pieces with that solid gold silk embroidery but nothing 'pictorial' like that. The embroidery gives an almost 3-D impression. Makes one think that it must have been made for a very special shaman or for use at very special ceremonies. So often the Daoist pieces a bit like this are in a much looser style. This fine concentration of stitching really appeals to me. It looks in the photos as if some of the embroidery is almost like a bas relief and sculptured. I like the very dense indigo background which sets off the embroidery so very well.

How exciting for find such a special piece. I shall certainly hunt through my references. Thanks very much indeed for sharing this piece with us and I hope that we get some comments and further information.

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Pamela

http://www.tribaltextiles.info
on-line tribal textiles resource

RE: YAO TAOIST ROBE

Dear Pamela,

Thanks so much for your very quick reply. I was excited to come upon this beautiful robe; I feel it is truly a soulful and inspired piece, although it is difficult to fathom its history!

You are correct that the embroidery has almost a sculptural quality, bold yet finely executed at the same time.

I apologize for the relatively poor quality of the photos. I am happy to provide better photos as any and all fine scholars on your fine Forum may request.

Best Regards, Nina

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Pamela

http://www.tribaltextiles.info
on-line tribal textiles resource

At my request Nina has sent me some more detailed images of her stunning robe which I am starting to add to this thread.

I have been consulting with a few people but so far drawn a blank on anyone having seen anything like it. There is quite a feeling that it might be Han. A suggestion that it might be a theatrical robe - but this does not find favour with three of us. The heavy background fabric rather than a satinised fabric seems to make this unlikely.

This is such a stunning piece - bas relief in embroidery and the images make such an impression and have so much 'presence'.

My hope is that, by increasing the images of the piece, if someone who does have the requiste knowledge sees it we may, in future, learn more about it. So do encourage people to check out the thread and I hope that the search engines that always seem to be crawling the forum will deliver an 'expert'!

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Pamela

http://www.tribaltextiles.info
on-line tribal textiles resource

more images from Nina...

_________________
Pamela

http://www.tribaltextiles.info
on-line tribal textiles resource

_________________
Pamela

http://www.tribaltextiles.info
on-line tribal textiles resource

_________________
Pamela

http://www.tribaltextiles.info
on-line tribal textiles resource

_________________
Pamela

http://www.tribaltextiles.info
on-line tribal textiles resource