Untitled

Unknown

18th–19th century · Silk and metallic-thread embroidery on silk damask · Asian Art

The imagery on this bag is taken from the Xiyou ji (The Journey to the West), a Ming-dynasty (1368–1644) text based on the historical pilgrimage of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang (596–664) from China to India for the purpose of bringing back Buddhist scriptures. The boldly rendered, pig-faced creature is Zhu Bajie, one of Xuanzang’s supernatural animal companions, shown here with the rake he uses as a weapon.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th–19th century

Medium

Silk and metallic-thread embroidery on silk damask

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Bequest of William Christian Paul, 1929