Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese: Textiles (11)

Fine old wedding blanket from the Mulao ethnic group in Southern China. This has a classic floral, butterfly and phoenix weft embroidered pattern. Excellent condition with no damage- this is woven with all handspun cotton thread with some tiny bits of silk floss. The dyes are a combination of indigo and possibly aniline and organic mix in the red and orangeish colors. L: 100cm/39.5in and W: 72cm/28.2in - with border L:122cm/48in and W: 88cm/35in.

Fine and rare two paneled wedding blanket from the Bouyi (aka Buyi) ethnic group in Changshun area Guizou, China. Woven from all handspun cotton thread. The blue and white center field has a “wanzi” swastika meander pattern while the upper and lower parts are the repetitive “well” symbols. This dates circa 1960’s. Without border- L 130cm/51in and W: 72cm/28in, with border- L: 176cm/69in and W: 114cm/28in. A stunning piece- almost has a Mark Rothko feeling to it.

The larger one is. L: 106cm/41.8in and W: 59cm/23in. All the elements in this piece are hand made, even the ribbon along the border which is often machine made (even in old pieces)this piece has some old repairs The smaller one is has ablack calendered cotton cloth, and green commercial border, and fine silk embroidered center panel with hand woven silk embellished apron ties. . W: 40cm/15.8in and L: 43cm/17in. Free shipping Hong Kong Registered Airmail...

Rare jacket back panel from the remote Miao Jiupang group from Jiahe County, Guizhou province (see last enlargement), with purple embroidered pattern between the spaces in the tin decoration. This style of decoration is unique to this group and very difficult to make, as every tiny bit of tin has to be individually cut and crimped. Recently acquired from a private Hong Kong collector, these are the first examples I have send of these I have seen in the past 15 years...

Beautiful Miao woman’s apron with black calendered cotton cloth, and green commercial border, and fine silk embroidered center panel with hand woven silk embellished apron ties, from Guizhou. The colors in center panel are particularly luscious and I would date this piece 40 to 60 years of age. W: 40cm/15.8in and L: 43cm/17in. Free shipping Hong Kong Registered Airmail

Good woman’s skirt panel or apron from a Yunnan ethnic minority, approximately 50 to 70 years old. All the elements in this piece are hand made, even the ribbon along the border which is often machine made (even in old pieces). The beads along the edge are made of seeds. This piece has some old repairs which I have noted in enlargements. The overall embroidered pattern is a combination of white cotton while the greens and reds are either silk or a cotton and silk blend...

Women’s jacket from the Dong minority in Longsheng Terraces, Guangxi Zhuang, China. The black outer cloth is commercial denim, the lining is handmade indigo cotton with a beautiful purple hand embroidered panels on the back and upper sleeves. Some damage (please examine enlargements) but repairable or very wearable as is. Chest width 50cm/19.5in, total end to end arm length 153cm/61in and shoulder to bottom height 72cm/28.3in...

Very rare complete jacket back panel from the remote Miao Jiupang group from Jiahe County, Guizhou province (see last enlargement), with purple embroidered pattern between the spaces in the tin decoration. This style of decoration is unique to this group and very difficult to make, as every tiny bit of tin has to be individually cut and crimped. Recently acquired from a private Hong Kong collector, these are the first examples I have send of these I have seen in the past 10 years...

Fine and rare old Yao/Mien all hand spun and woven cotton wedding veil with silk thread embroidered geometrical design, circa 50 years old. This piece is from Kim Mien group and was originally collected in Northern Laos. The colors on this piece are subtle and restrained (please note the use of shades of brown and blue in enlargements) and the brown and white tassels. Except for a couple of tiny holes this piece is in excellent condition. W: 47cm/18.5in and L: 75cm/29.5in.

Fine and rare five paneled skirt, from the Meifu subgroup of the Li people Hainan Island, circa mid 20th century. These kinds of textiles are unique among Chinese minority weavings as they combine supplementary weft brocade and tie dye ikat techniques. The colored threads in the brocaded panel are a combination of cotton, and polyester while the rest of the skirt is hand spun cotton and indigo in an abstract and zoomorphic design- pulled apart at the seam on top, no rips or holes...

Fine and rare four paneled skirt, from the Meifu subgroup of the Li people Hainan Island, circa mid 20th century. These kinds of textiles are unique among Chinese minority weavings as they combine supplementary weft brocade and tie dye ikat techniques. The colored threads in the brocaded panel are a combination of silk, cotton, and polyester while the rest of the skirt is hand spun cotton and indigo in an abstract and zoomorphic design. There is one negligible small hole...