Ba-sa-dung Li Skirt Hainan Island, China.  15"x 10½"long. This tiny skirt was woven in four separate bands: one 4"wide, one 2½"wide, and two 2"wide. The top band consists of warp-float patterning (NOT supplementary warp, as often reported). The other three bands are inlaid brocading--inlaid supplementary weft weave--a type of brocading quite different from the supplementary-weft weave structure and technique used by Tai/Lao weavers.  Tiny stripes of warp-float patterning also appear along one side of each of the bottom two bands. The weaving in these tiny skirts is truly astonishing in its refinement!  The motifs include mythological animals and humans.  This piece is thought to be more than 80 years old, and it is in excellent condition...$850    HOLD W-4888   Larger full view photo                 Large detail photo

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