Variety of Textiles within Antique Yao / Zhuang Ceremonial Scrolls – 2

Continuing to study the diversity in the two Yao paintings, with a focus on costumes in this note.

In each do take note of

• the composition of the costume – the presence of various layers
• the unique hat styles
• the color combinations and the number of colors used by each rank
• motif design – either through weaving / embroidery / print / batik / painting …. we can only guess based on surviving arts and artefacts

Unfortunately the younger boys – probably attendants or vassals – do not enjoy the elaborate costume:

If we were to compile such a pictionary of costumes from the many antique Yao paintings in the WOVENSOULS collection itself we might have a magazine sized document!

And if we were to do this exercise across the Yao ceremonial paintings in all the museums of the world, mapping the style or type of costume with the factors that influenced these choices,  it could earn an interested student a neat little doctorate!

April 2017