Kesa (Buddhist Priest's Mantle)
1840-1890 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a kesa, the rectangular garment worn by Japanese Buddhist priests. Kesa are made of a sewn patchwork of cloth, the arrangement of the sections of fabric into columns surrounded by a border serving as a mandala, a symbolic rendering of the universe. The central column represents the Buddha, the two columns either side his attendants, and the four patches at the corners the cardinal directions. The act of sewing the garment is in itself a devotional pursuit.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Polychrome figured silk |
| Brief description | Tex, Japan, woven. Kesa (Buddhist priest's mantle) |
| Physical description | Buddhist robe (kesa) patterned with scrolling floral stems on a green ground |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Purchased from Christie's (8 King Street, St. James' Square), accessioned in 1897. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Summary | This is a kesa, the rectangular garment worn by Japanese Buddhist priests. Kesa are made of a sewn patchwork of cloth, the arrangement of the sections of fabric into columns surrounded by a border serving as a mandala, a symbolic rendering of the universe. The central column represents the Buddha, the two columns either side his attendants, and the four patches at the corners the cardinal directions. The act of sewing the garment is in itself a devotional pursuit. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 928-1897 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 28, 2006 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
