Vest Item Number: 397/6 b from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Man’s vest, made from narrow vertical strips of hand woven, ‘rustic,’ dark-red wool textile that have been sewn together edge to edge; the strips have been cut and shaped to fit closely at the shoulders and flare out at the hem. The vest (front and back) is overlaid from shoulders to the waist with a patchwork of plain gold-thread textile and gold brocade with floral motifs in red and pink with green foliage. An 11 cm wide strip of a more finely woven dark red wool textile extends from the front edge of each arms eye, continues over the shoulders and down the back of the vest to about waist level. A 23.5 cm wide strip of the same finely woven dark red textile, folded lengthwise in half, has been applied at the centre front edges and extends around the neck to form a high collar; this strip is longer on the right side than on the left. A piece of bright red cotton broadcloth has been loosely tacked over this strip, leaving a section on the lower right uncovered. No closures. Voluminous. Unlined.

History Of Use

Said to be a Tibetan lama’s vest. Probably has been worn with items 397/a, /c, /d, /e. The choice of materials would seem to indicate that it was worn during the cold winter months.

Narrative

Collected by Arthur W. Gottschalk.

Cultural Context

Worn by men.

Item History

What

Name
Vest
Identification Number
397/6 b
Type of Item
vest
Material
wool fibre, metal, silk fibre and cotton fibre
Overall
height 82.0 cm, width 73.5 cm

Who

Culture
Tibetan
Previous Owner
Arthur W. Gottschalk and Mrs. Arthur W. Gottschalk
Received from
Arthur W. Gottschalk (Donor) and Mrs. Arthur W. Gottschalk (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Tibet ?
Collected in
Kathmandu, Nepal

When

Collection Date
during 1974
Ownership Date
before July 5, 1977
Acquisition Date
on July 5, 1977

Other

Item Classes
textiles
Condition
good
Accession Number
0397/0006 b