Skirt

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-principal attire (lower body)

Culture Miao

Date20th Century

Made AtGuizhou Province, China

Collection SiteChina

MediumCotton and silk

Dimensions18 1/2 × 83 × 2 in. (47 × 210.8 × 5.1 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Long Shung and Anne Shih

Object number2015.9.2.2

DescriptionThe jacket in this ensemble contains batik work. Batik is a very commonly employed resist dye technique among the Miao. In order to achieve the technique, a layer of dye-resistant material is applied to a textile in order to preserve its white color. Materials such as wax resist the dye while the rest of the material absorbs it. The textile is then dyed, typically indigo, and the wax is removed by applying boiling water once the textile has dried. Traditional Miao festival attire consists of a jacket, jewelry, apron and a pleated skirt. The length and appearance of these skirts varies drastically from group to group. The shorter skirt that accompanies this jacket is worn over leggings or long pants and is likely to be covered by an apron at the back and front.

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