Title
Ceremonial crown
Year/Period
Early-mid 20th century
Region
Northern Thailand
Dimension
Object size: L19.5 x W26.5cm
Accession No.
1994-00091
Collection of
This ceremonial crown is one of the ritual objects used by priests and shamans (or mediums) of the Yao community (also known as Iu Mien), in northern Thailand. The paper crown has painted portraits of the three main gods known as the Three Pure Ones, or Fam T’sing (三清), that are hidden from view by folded panels.A full outfit would include a robe, a panelled silk skirt with elaborate embroidery, worn over trousers and leggings, belt, and a hat made of woven human hair. Yao religion is based on an ancient form of Chinese Daoism, that may have been adopted by the Yao sometime during the 13th century.
