Ceremonial Cape Textile Art from Miao People

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Description

A large and impressive cape worn during ceremonial dancing by Miao people from Guizhou Province, China circa 1940s-1960s in a … Read more A large and impressive cape worn during ceremonial dancing by Miao people from Guizhou Province, China circa 1940s-1960s in a rarely intact and well preserved condition. Miao people is a diverse minority group living in Southern China as well as Southeast Asia with complex sub-affiliations based on attires, languages, cultural customs and art tradition. They are renowned for their textile and silver craftsmanship as well as singing and dancing. This cape, rather heavy in construction and striking in bold red and black, was made from wool, hemp and cotton. The surface showcases elongated diamond patterns in complementary woven wool and couched plaque on top of the cotton part. The cape is in a form a jacket with long and wide sleeves and it was meant to be used in ceremonial occasions.
Our research reveals that the piece was from the Northwest Guizhou in an autonomous county called Weining. The area is of subtropical highland and the generally cold weather was reflected in the heavy materials used in this piece, in comparison with other textiles made in the warmer lowland.
There is an older paper label with price tag in Chinese inside the cape. It was purchased in Guizhou decades ago by a US collection in MA. With a span of over 94 inches long, it makes a very impressive textile art piece for wall hanging. Not framed and easily shipping folded up.
For a similar jacket from Weining, see "Miao Textile from China" by Gina Corrigan; page 22-23. See less