China
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Baby Hat from China
MoreVery tiny, this old Miao baby hat from China is small in every respect: the indigo-dyed cotton is very finely woven, and the embroidery is so tiny that it can barely be seen as cross stitches. Done with a single thread, the edging and all other stitching is all by hand. This is a very sweet hat. Condition is good, with no holes, but some soil. Priced accordingly.
Size: 5.5 in. across x 3.5 in. high at the ears
$35.00
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Baby Hat from China
MoreFrom a Miao group in southwest China, this small hat is probably for a boy due to the backflap/tail. It has a strong graphic pattern of spirals done in applique with outlines of silk-wrapped horsehair. A special complex knot at the center tops it off. Condition is used, with wear to the edges and on the top, plus some repairs.
Size: 5.5″dia. x 4.25″h.
$45.00
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Book: ‘Pattern of Li Dragon Quilt’
MoreAuthors: LiZu Zhibel Zhenpin, LongBei Yishu
Published 2003
Chinese text; illustrated with many wonderful color photos
127 pages; Hardcover with dust jacket; 10” x 13.25” or 24 x 33.5 cm
Condition: New; edition of 1000
ISBN: 7544306925
This is a pictorial definitive work about these magnificent textiles which have an 800 year history as tribute cloths. Although the text is in Chinese, the fine and plentiful photos provide a lot of visual information about the sources of motifs, methods of production, etc., plus full images and close-ups of the quilts.
$110.00
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Chinese Hmong (‘Miao’) Embroideries
MoreOur beautiful collection of seventeen (17) vintage, handmade, and hand-embroidered panels is from the Chinese Hmong (also known as ‘Miao’) people in southwest China. It includes a variety of sizes, patterns, techniques and colors. All embroidery is in fine silk thread and some pieces even include small metal inserts for added interest. Motifs include charming renditions of animals, insects and mythological beasts, plus floral motifs and some figures. These panels would have embellished ceremonial festival costumes.
These are in very good condition (some are unused) and only a few show wear from age (one has holes, shown in detail photo). This quality of embroidery is rarely being made anymore.
This set of embroideries would be a great study collection coupled with these two references below, both featuring textiles from the Gina Corrigan Collection:
Ruth Smith; Miao Embroidery From South West China; 2005
Ruth Smith, Ed.; Minority Textile Techniques: Costumes from South West China; 2007
Size: Please see images for relative sizes (Note 9V battery for scale)
$ 360.
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Dong Baby Bib
MoreThis fine, old child’s bib from the Dong people in Guizhou Province, has strong graphic elements made by appliqué and embroidery techniques, plus embellishments of handwoven silk ribbon. Concentric applique bands are hand-stitched with minute running stitches. Fine decorative cross-like stitches outline the lower panel and ornament the corners. The background is finely woven, handspun, indigo-dyed cotton. No doubt this lovely bib has seen generations of use. (Please see Christi Lan Lin’s Symbolism of Chinese Children’s Bibs; p.68 for a similar example.)
Size: 24″ x 13″ / 61cm x 33cm
$130.00
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Dong Baby Carrier
MoreHarmoniously colored, this older Dong carrier combines embroidery with applique in an artful manner, and with a similar design to TACH223, 224, & 225. Condition is very good.
Size: 31.75″long x 19″(Top), and 9″ (Bottom)
$155.00
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Dong Baby Tunic
MoreOld and well-used, this child’s tunic nonetheless has some charming details including bat motifs (for good fortune/prosperity) on the front, elaborate silk ribbon bordering the bottom and the arm openings, and a woven ribbon tie at the shoulder. All is lovingly handstitched and with multiple borders. Condition reflects hard use, with some water staining and wear to the silk borders. Priced accordingly.
Size: 14.75″ x 14″
$85.00
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Dong Embroidery
MoreTwo old embroidered panels (probably hat panels) have been stitched onto a nice background of handwoven black cotton to form an attractive composite. Age and wear is apparent in the coloration and bits of embroidery pattern peeking thru the silk threads (see detail). A thin edge of woven silk with silver threads provides a nice finish on each piece. This would frame nicely.
Size: 11.5″ x 10.5″
$50.00
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Ge-jia Embroidered Panel
MoreFine chain, satin and cross stitch embroidery decorates these two, almost identical panels from the Ge-jia people in Guizhou Province. This pair of panels would have adorned the back of their handsome batik jacket as ‘tails’ (please see Clothings and Ornaments of China’s Miao People, p.131). Each panel is a work of art, therefore we are offering them individually. The fine silk embroidery on cotton is complemented by accent bands of dark blue cotton attached with very fine, decorative (probably machine) stitching. Contrasting black and white outlines and accents the central motifs. Condition is very good, with very minor soil and a bit of fugitive color at the upper left (TACH343) and on the lower left (TACH343b).
Size: 10.5″ x 9.25″
$60.00
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Ge-jia Embroidered Panel
MoreFine chain, satin and cross stitch embroidery decorates these two, almost identical panels from the Ge-jia people in Guizhou Province. This pair of panels would have adorned the back of their handsome batik jacket as ‘tails’ (please see Clothings and Ornaments of China’s Miao People, p.131). Each panel is a work of art, therefore we are offering them individually. The fine silk embroidery on cotton is complemented by accent bands of dark blue cotton attached with very fine, decorative (probably machine) stitching. Contrasting black and white outlines and accents the central motifs. Condition is very good, with very minor soil and a bit of fugitive color at the upper left (TACH343) and on the lower left (TACH343b).
Size: 10.5″ x 9.25″
$60.00
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Hmong/Miao Apron
MoreProbably from the Hmong/Miao in Yunnan Province, China, and worn as a festival apron, this colorful textile has a dynamic design employing four angular birds flanking a central plant form. Charming cats look out from the bottom of the panel (see Detail 1), and a row of flowers borders the top. Executed mostly in cross stitch, it also uses ‘rick rack’ and commercial ribbon to embellish the piece.
Size: Panel: 26.5″ x 15.25″
$120.00
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Hmong/Miao Apron Panel
MoreProbably from the Hmong/Miao in Yunnan Province, China, this elaborately decorated festival apron shows a flower vase flanked by flamboyant birds and flowers in each corner, with more flowers bordering the central panel. Done in satin stitch with acrylic yarn, it also includes rickrack and purchased ribbon and beads. Condition is very good with only a few strands of beads missing.
Size: 24.5″ (including fringe) x 9.75″
$75.00
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Hmong/Miao Apron Panel
MoreProbably from the Hmong/Miao in Yunnan Province, China, this prettily colored festival apron is finely embroidered in pleasantly harmonious colors. The symmetrical design is of stylized flowers. Beads and pompoms finish the lower edge. Condition is very good with only a few missing bead strands. These panels are wonderful as added embellishment on a jacket, or framed and grouped together.
Size: 23″ (including fringe) x 10.5″
$75.00
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Hmong/Miao Apron Panel
MoreProbably from the Hmong/Miao in Yunnan Province, China, this festival apron is fearless in color and elaborate in design. Complimentary colors of red and green are used to eye-dazzling effect and are accented with gold foil and black. Executed in cross-stitch and satin stitch, it also includes rickrack and beads. Condition is excellent.
Size: 22.5″ (including fringe) x 10″
$75.00
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Hmong/Miao Apron Panel
MoreProbably from the Hmong/Miao in Yunnan Province, China, this festival apron is boldly colored and patterned. Executed in cross-stitch and satin stitch, the design is rather formal and sophisticated, but executed in clear, contrasting colors. Further embellishment includes rickrack, ribbon and beads. Condition is excellent.
Size: 23″ (including fringe) x 9″
$75.00
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Hmong/Miao Baby Carrier Panel
MoreThis amazing confection of ribbon, rick rack, and handstitching is artful in its coloration and execution. One curious aspect is a deliberate ‘scrunching up’ of the cross-stitched borders, giving the piece lots of textural interest and dimension. The many lines of varied ribbon are separated by embroidered lines in a multitude of colors including turquoise, lilac, lime green, blue, and black. Motifs include upside down birds, stylized flowers, and spirals. Two rows of beaded fringe, one of which ends in heart beads, finish the bottom. Condition is quite good. This would be fabulous if framed in a shadow box.
Size: 22″ x 27.5″ (including fringe)
$135.00
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Hmong/Miao Bib/Apron
MoreFrom the Hmong/Miao in Nayong, Guizhou province, these bib/aprons have an unusual shape and work that is pleasingly graphic, yet with subtle embellishment. This one has an embroidered top panel with added bands of ribbon on the sides and midsection in pleasingly harmonious colors. All stitching is by hand. There is some soil and fugitive color, but it does not detract. Also the lower edge has some tears and holes as befits its age; possibly from the mid-20th century.
Size: 27″ x 13.5″
$85.00
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Hmong/Miao Bib/Apron Panel
MoreFrom Nayong, in Guizhou province, this short panel was worn as a sort of bib/apron and is similar in style of embroidery to TACH397,398 and 399. This one has black velveteen in the central area, flanked by finely embroidered panels engagingly depicting flowers and butterflies. The flowers petals are built up in satin stitch and have become three-dimensional. All embroidery is fine silk on cotton. The black edging along the top is silk, and funny little trade cloth cotton pieces with ‘atomic’ motifs fill in where the embroidered strips stop at the lower corners. One woven cotton ribbon tie, with tasseled end, remains and vestiges of the others are on the reverse side. The trade cloth hints at a mid-20th century age, but the condition is very good, with minimal soil.
Size: 16.5″h x 18.5″ across the bottom
$75.00
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Hmong/Miao Bib/Apron Panel
MoreFrom Nayong, in Guizhou province, this short panel was worn as a sort of bib/apron and is similar in style of embroidery to TACH397,398 and 399. This one has finely handspun indigo cotton in the central area, flanked by finely embroidered panels engagingly depicting flowers and birds in a thickly layered satin stitch. The flowers petals are built up in satin stitch and have become three-dimensional. All embroidery is fine silk on cotton. No ties remain on this one, though condition is very good, with minimal surface soil.
Size: 15.75″h x 16.25″ across the bottom
$65.00
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Li Headcloth
MoreFrom the Meifu group of Li people on Hainan Island, this fine old woman’s headcloth is most unusual. The deep end panels are covered in extremely fine silk embroidery in geometric patterns, and lively, couched Chinese characters, also done in silk. The body of the piece is fine indigo cotton. The language is not Chinese, but is supposed to be archaic poetry. We consider it visual poetry: the combination of motifs results in a very graphic, but refined and elegant composition executed in fine materials. Probably from the late 19th century or early 20th, it is in quite good condition with the exception of loose silk threads (see Detail 2) and some wear on a few of the characters. These are heirloom pieces and not easily found.
Size: 10.75″ x 67.5″ not including fringe
$785.00
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Miao Baby Carrier Panel
MoreThis unusual old Miao baby carrier panel is covered in dense, finely chain-stitched flowers which have faded beautifully with age, and are framed by bountiful appliqued borders. From the Flowered Hmong subgroup in Guizhou Province of southern China, it is from the mid-20th century. Condition is very good, tho faded. This displays very subtly and would be attractive mounted on linen.
Size: 32″high x 15.5″ wide @ top, 12.5″ wide @ bottom
$290.00
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Miao Baby Carrier Panel
MoreWoven with a lively pattern of alternating squares, each of a different design, this fine silk on silk panel once decorated a Miao baby carrier in Guizhou Province. Most prominent of the motifs are the meander and crane, both rendered very finely in blue silk on off-white; pink weft stripes break up the surface at approximately 1″ intervals.
Size: 54.5″ x 7.5″
$450.00
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Miao Coat Panel
MoreOriginally the tail of a Miao, or possibly Dong, woman’s coat, this panel is covered completely with fine silk embroidery, not weaving! This one has nine bands, each with a different design, and comprises several panels stitched together. Handspun cotton backs each piece. Metal-wrapped silk threads enliven some of the designs. These are beautiful framed, or could be added to a garment as elegant embellishment.
Size: 16″ x 11.75″
$155.00
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Miao Embroidered Panel
MoreBeautifully embroidered in fine silk, this attractive panel is similar to the sleeve embroideries of a Miao group in Huangping County in Guizhou Province (see our TACH235a). Perhaps it was originally used on a baby carrier. Minute cross-stitch combines with satin stitch and covers the background fabric. Two edges are bordered with a running pattern of horses and figures. Colors are various shades of purple, slate blue, and aubergine on black cotton, and handwoven black cotton backs and borders the panel. Overall it looks like new except for a bit of wear to the silk on one end (detail 2).
Size: 20″ x 11.75
$125.00
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Miao Embroidered Panel (Old)
MoreComprising a pair of old silk embroideries that were used on the sleeves of a Miao ceremonial jacket, this exquisite panel is a beautiful example of the fine embroidery used by this group. The stitches are minute- tiny ‘x’ stitches made with one thin silk thread, with contrasting lines of satin stitch. A border of horselike, four-legged figures with riders is embroidered top and bottom and adds a whimsical touch. The colors have mellowed to a subtle palette of soft taupe and mauve accented with black, and edged with faded golden ribbon. Condition is quite good, with the black cloth border and backing added later.
Size: Field: 12.75″ x 10.25″; OA: 19.25″ x 17″
$145.00
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Miao Man’s Collar
MoreFrom Nankai, in Guizhou Province, this collar has an unusual pattern in the embroidered area, which is executed in satin stitch, not cross-stitch. The surrounding border is also unusual in design and striking in the use of color. All embroidery is on finely woven natural cotton. Condition is very good.
Size: 17.5 in. w. x 19 in. (decorated area)
$160.00
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Miao Man’s Collar
MoreFrom Nankai, in Guizhou Province, this collar employs traditional coloring and designs (see Writing With Thread p.279). Cross-stitch and satin stitch are finely executed in silk in medium green, dark red, soft pink, and white on a background of black cotton. Condition is very good.
Size: 17.5 in. w. x 17.25 in. (decorated area)
$160.00
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Miao Man’s Collar
MoreFrom Nankai, in Guizhou Province, this collar employs a lovely color combination of dark red, turquoise, orange and white in the fine, silk embroidery. It is framed by nicely contrasting bands in the traditional combination of red and yellow cotton. The lining of the standup collar appears to be indigo hempcloth; the rest of the embroidery is on fine indigo cotton. This is an older piece and is in very good condition, except for one small hole.
Size: 17 in. w. x 20 in. (decorated area)
$160.00
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Yi Embroidered Collar
MoreThis lively embroidered design is intended to be an embellishment at the collar and shoulder of the dress worn by women in the area around Honghe in southern Yunnan Province, near the border with NW Vietnam. It is fascinating for several reasons: it is a work in progress and shows basting stitches and the layering of the fabrics prior to being appliqued into place; also, in addition to applique, a satin stitch is used to great effect. The dynamic, swirling motifs and fine sewing in silk on cotton and silk make this an artful as well as instructive piece which would display well in a frame.
Size: 19.5″ x 18″ across points
$135.00
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Yi Tunic and Belt Set
MoreFrom Shiping, in south central Yunnan province, this beautiful tunic and belt set is finely embroidered in a brilliant combination of colors of silk. Various reds and dark pinks are embroidered on different shades of green, and black, making a richly dynamic interplay of color. Most embroidery is in satin stitch, but the side connecting bands on the tunic are in cross stitch, outlined with colorful dark pink braided silk bands. The tunic collar is adorned with hemispherical metal beads and lightweight coinlike buttons (probably metal-plated plastic). The unfinished lower edges are typical, as it is intended to be covered by the belt. The belt is quite long and wrapped around the body several times, with the ends worn at the back. It is in a complementary blue cotton handsewn on the bias. Both pieces are in excellent condition and are an unusual find, as we usually can get separate pieces, but not sets.
Size: Vest-13″ x 22″; Belt-7 3/4″ x 10′-0″
$330.00
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Zhuang Baby Carrier Panel
MoreFrom Guangxi Province, this beautiful old Zhuang baby carrier panel is covered in mellow silk embroidery on an indigo cotton background. A pattern of linear bands of stylized flowers alternate with bands of diamonds to form a lush surface. A vertical band down the center has cruciform motifs with small diamonds and is finely embroidered in a different technique.
This unusually-shaped panel has been detached from side ties and a lower panel of indigo cotton. It is probably from the early 20th century and is in very good condition. See ‘Baby Carriers’ by the National Museum of Prehistory, #077 for a similar example.
Size: 27.5″ x 13.25″ / 70cm x 34cm
$185.00
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Zhuang Blanket
MoreVery softly faded with age, this elegant old blanket once had purple and pink diamond designs outlined with indigo, but now the indigo is pronounced and the other colors are very muted. Note the nicely matched seams and the design created there. Comprising three panels, it has a ramie foundation and silk supplementary weft; the indigo motifs are cotton. One end of one panel has a quirky ‘false start’ where the weaver changed her mind. Condition is good with fairly even wear and fading. A dark area in the upper center panel in the photos is not really noticeable in reality.
Size: 56.75″ x 37.75″
$425.00
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Zhuang Wedding Blanket
MoreBeautifully designed, this old Zhuang blanket was woven with an integral frame for the outside border, which surrounds a traditionally-designed central field filled with diamonds. There are three different groups of designs in the border and field (see Detail_1), including running swastikas for many blessings. Dark indigo lines with hooks enliven the central field, and indigo diamonds punctuate the border. Made with a foundation of very fine ramie, silk is used for supplementary weft designs, except for the indigo motifs, which are cotton. Condition is very good, with some wear, but no holes or repairs.
Size: 58.5″ x 35.75″
$795.00