Deity Robe Item Number: 3251/1 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Robe and collar worn by statue of three-eyed Cantonese opera patron deity, Hwa Kwong. Statue dressed in this robe would have been displayed on an altar. White robe has long sleeves, the right cuffed at wrist, the left with a water sleeve. Right shoulder has an added panel. Neck is small and rounded, and robe opens from the right side of the torso where it is secured with ties and metal snaps. Front is heavily decorated in colourful sequins, with three gold and red dragons at centre of chest, surrounded by curving lines in a variety of colours that continue onto the left shoulder, right shoulder-panel, and around back of neck. Bottom front is densely sequined in diagonal lines, and is lined in blue on the interior. Arms have curling lines in silver. Back of robe is undecorated but for a symbol in gold sequins. Collar (part b) is round, with ties at back to fasten it around neck. It is also heavily sequined, showing two gold dragons amongst colourful curling lines. Back is lined in blue.

History Of Use

Deity robe. Meant to be 'worn' by a statue, not a person.