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Shawl, 20th Century
Lao or Tai culture; Laos or Vietnam
Cotton and silk; 16 × 77 in.
2019.23…
Shawl
Shawl, 20th Century
Lao or Tai culture; Laos or Vietnam
Cotton and silk; 16 × 77 in.
2019.23…
Shawl, 20th Century Lao or Tai culture; Laos or Vietnam Cotton and silk; 16 × 77 in. 2019.23.16 Gift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Shawl

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-scarves, shawls, & stoles
Culture Lao
Culture Tai
Date20th Century
Made AtLaos, Asia
Made AtVietnam, Asia
MediumCotton and silk
Dimensions16 × 77 in. (40.6 × 195.6 cm)
Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih
Object number2019.23.16
DescriptionCotton textiles with silk embroidery were made across the border region between northern Laos and Vietnam for a variety of purposes. Generally, these textiles are defined primarily by their decorative motifs: diamonds, short scroll shapes and humanoid figures; as well as the quality of the silk and dying which goes into their creation. These textiles are woven exclusively by women, and particularly the materials used to create dyes are guarded secrets passed along from mother to daughter. They are used for several purposes and though most-often classified as shawls also sometimes served as waist wraps, head coverings and even surface cloths. Apart from being visually significant, the diamond also held special importance in Lao culture as they were important representations of the third eye and were often used in healing rituals as ways of dispelling evil forces from the body.
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