hat; religious/ritual equipment BM-As1898-0622.49

Period:Unknown Production date:1898 (circa?)
Materials:wool, cotton,
Technique:plain weave
Subjects:buddhism
Dimensions:Length: 70 centimetres Width: 30 centimetres

Description:
A hat; worn by an ‘abbot’ / the ‘great Pandit’. Helmet-shaped; made from red tabby woollen cloth with nap. Peaked crown; long, rectangular ear-flaps. Flaps lined with (unevenly dyed) blue tabby cotton cloth; all edges piped with same fabric. Hat lined with pink tabby cotton cloth. Some holes in woollen cloth.
IMG


Comments:B&M Register,v.7; Ethno Temporary Register,1861-1921,p.85.Waddell “Buddhism of Tibet…”.Not included in material transferred from Oriental Dept. in 1979; presumably in Ethno already.From B&M Register: “Red hat of the great Pandit”. See: http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/ ‘The pointed monk’s hat in Tibet extends over the ears, usually in long lappets. According to sect, such hats were red when worn by members of the older schools, or yellow with the dGe-lugs-pa or reformed followers of Tsong-kha-pa. They were reserved for special ceremonies. … Hats varied greatly according to rank, educational standing, sect and occasion.’ [Zwalf 1981: 133 – 4]