Chinese Minority Textiles:  Miao and Others - 1

        from MARLA MALLETT:  TEXTILES

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The ethnic minorities of China have produced fanciful, colorful costumes with distinctive flavors. They display superlative embroidery, brocading and batik. Objects by Miao, Gejia, Shui, Dong, Yao, Buyi, Yi, Zhuang and Li groups from the southwestern provinces of Guizhou, Hunan, Yunnan, Guangxi and Hainan are currently featured on these pages. Most costume items or accessories are decorated with flowers, birds and animals from the surrounding landscape --  anthropomorphic and zoomorphic images that are often abstracted. Traditional auspicious designs appear, even among patterns that are completely geometric.  Some parts of these minority groups, particularly the Miao, migrated southward into Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, where they are known as H'mong. Yao groups are also numerous on both sides of the border and produce similar textiles in both areas. 

Most of the pieces on these pages are between 40 and 100 years of age. A few are more recent. Ages are difficult to assess with certainty;  my notes include only educated guesses.  With this charming textile folk art, the important qualities are superb craftsmanship, excellent materials and color, good condition, and inspired expression.  

Click on the inventory numbers below to see full views of the textiles and large detail scans. Go to  A Few Snapshots for photos of the artisans and their costumes. For some notes on Miao festivals, customs, and the symbolism in their textile art, go to  Notes on Miao Folklore. For Han textiles go to our Chinese Textiles page or to Chinese CostumesPieces by related ethnic groups appear on our  Japanese Textiles or Tribal Textiles of Southeast Asia pages. Check out our HOME page for textiles from other parts of the world. 


Miao Baby Carrier
Guizhou, China
24"x 28"
Silk embroidery on cotton
E-7814


Bai Wedding Collar or Cape
Yunnan, China
51"x 48"
Silk embroidery on silk; tassels
and metal ornaments
E-6678


Miao Baby Carrier
Huishui. Guizhou, China
29"x 25"
Silk embroidery and appliqué on 
cotton
E-5012  

Buyi DuDoo
Yunnan, China
25½"x 22"
Silk embroidery, velvet and silk 
braid appliqué, and metal ornaments
on cotton
E-4822


Rao Jia Baby Carrier

Guizhou, China
27½"x 29"
Silk embroidery on cotton
E-5944

Li Skirt
Hainan, China
24½"x 43"
Cotton ikat with warp-patterned
bands
W-6264

Embroidered Miao Baby Carrier
Guangxi, China
20"x 29½"
Silk embroidery on cotton, with 
appliqué
E-4475


Dong Head Scarf

Guizhou, China
14"x 27½"
Cross-stitch embroidery on 
cotton
E-4718


Miao Jacket with Embroidery
Taijiang, Guizhou. China
48½"x 36"
Silk embroidery on silk; cotton
twill-weave jacket; folded silk appliqué
E-5009


Li Skirt
Hainan, China
29"x 34"
Cotton, with silk and cotton embroidery;
brocading and warp patterning
W-6265


Belt Purse with Five Pouches
Yunnan, China
3½"x 31"
Silk embroidery and gold foil
on silk satin
E-6305


Shui Baby Carrier
Guizhou, China
23"x 41"plus embroidered straps
Horsetail embroidery on cotton
E-4476


Miao Baby Carrier Panel
Khali, Guizhou. China
8½"x 37½"
Silk Brocading
W-6641


Miao Hat

Guizhou, China
7½"x 11"
Silk embroidery on cotton
E-5942


Miao Baby Carrier
Shuicheng, Guizhou. China
34"x 25"plus ties
Silk embroidery, reverse applique,
padded tassel and beads
E-7878


Yao Apron
Southwest China
17"x 23"
Cotton, with silk embroidery and
beaded tassels
E-6263


Embroidered Miao Baby Carrier 
Guiyang. Guizhou, China
23"x 26"
Silk satin-stitch and couching on 
cotton
E-1119


Dong Child's Hat
Guizhou, China
7"x 5"
Silk embroidery on cotton velvet
E-924

Continue:


               

A Few Snapshots: Textile Artisans of Southwestern China

Notes on Miao Folklore
Chinese Minority Textiles - Bibliography
Chinese & Japanese Textiles - 1
Chinese & Japanese Textiles - 2
Chinese Costumes

I have started a section on Embroidery Techniques;  first is a page illustrating the often confused Seed Stitch ("Forbidden Stitch") and Peking Stitch. 



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MARLA MALLETT
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E-mail:  marlam@mindspring.com
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