Shaman’s vest. Extensively embroidered long “vest” consisting of right and left fronts, back, stand-up collar, and 2 strips of cloth attaching fronts to back. Fully lined with off-white cloth showing dirt and small stains. 8 full-thickness, ~2 mm x ~2 mm, holes noted. Many signs of wear. Fronts have central red panels almost meeting at center (except for thin off-white strips at edges), symmetrically embroidered (some color differences) with 2 dragons and other motifs each side. Red panels framed at side and lower edge by blue panels embroidered with birds and flower, leaf, and other motifs. Right and left front designs not completely symmetrical. Left front has 2 metal buttons; right front has torn loop corresponding to each button. Red patch top right red panel. Red stand-up collar edged with thin strip off-white, very dirty cloth. Cloth forming both lining and outer panels extends over shoulders without seams. On back, central red panel embroidered with 3-4 dragons, 2 horses (each with saddle blanket, saddle and stirrups, and reins) and other motifs. Top dragon has long, couched whiskers (?). Red panel framed as on front by blue panels embroidered with birds and flower, leaf, and other motifs. Bottom edges of vest with edging band of off-white cloth and pieces of string (original colors red/maroon and off-white or brown) sewn on to hang down when worn. Red and off-white strips of cloth (9cm x 5.5cm, 6cm x 6cm) attach fronts to back each side ~⅓ way down vest. Sides otherwise open. At center, vest ~92 cm long (collar adds ~4.5 cm) x 39 cm wide at shoulders, flaring to ~56 cm wide at hem.
Donor:
Eric Crystal
Collection place:
Vietnam
Verbatim coll. place:
Vietnam, Hoa Binh Province. Yao.
Collector:
Eric Crystal
Collection date:
August-December 1999
Materials:
Metal
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Dragons and Embroidery (visual works)
Function:
5.2 Magic: Objects Associated with Practices reflecting confidence in the ability to manipulate supernatural agencies