Robe (dancer's costume), cotton with silk embroidery and gilt leather appliqué, Tibet, 19th century.

Robe, cotton, with silk embroidery and gilt leather appliqué

Given by E.S. Gladstone, Esq.

Given by E.S. Gladstone, Esq.. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.

Information given in the 1905 inventory. "Portion of a Masker's Costume formerly worn by Sikkim Lama in 'The Mystery Play'. Each sleeve of the robe is bordered with the Tibetian sacred tricolour- red, yellow, and blue- in brocaded bands; the apron is decorated with a representation of the head of 'the red tiger-sevil,' Tag-mar, but the corresponding demon-mask for the face is missing." Description taken from List of Works of Art acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum during the Year 1905, London: Wyman and sons, p. 106.

Part of the costume worn by a dancer at the Tibetan mystery play (lha-'cham). It was performed annually by the monks outside their monasteries to exorcise evil and to allow the new year to begin cleansed. This drama provided a rare opportunity for the laity to participate in the ritual life of the monastery and to glimpse something of its rites and ceremonies. This apron is decorated with an enraged image of Yama, the lord of death, with flames emanating from his eyes and mouth; the border has alternating skulls, severed heads and dorjes (vajras).

This robe is used for masked religious dances in Tibetan monasteries and is made from imported Chinese silk brocade. Throughout much of its history it was common in Tibet to re-use bolts of no longer fashionable Chinese silk brocade to make dance costumes or the clothes of noblemen. Such brocades found their way to Tibet as booty, as high-ranking gifts or by trade.

499-1905