Mandarin Square

Ornamental square plaque from the back of a Chinese Buddhist (or Lamaist) priest's cape, portrayiing a conventionalized Buddhist figure seated on a lotus. The face and hands are done in satin stitch; the rest of the pattern in gold couching; on red satin. The basic pattern, including li shui, is obviously derived from the later Qing squares, probably after the fall of the Dynasty. This does not belong among the mandarin squares proper, but it shows well how the basic form was sometimes put to other uses. The bottom edge has the 立水 li shui ('standing water') design denoting deep water.