Hmong Embroidery Fragment (Pair)

The Hmong people don't have their own written language, so their embroidery is the primary document of their history and culture. These two panels may have decorated the sides of a woman's skirt. Meticulously executed polychromatic embroidery of flowers, leaves, frogs, fish, birds, and mythical creatures decorate a silk blue ground with woven floral details.

A similar pair of embroidered panels can be seen in the Minneapolis Institute of Art's online collection.

Circa: Mid-Late 20th c

Origin: Southwest China

Material: Silk, cotton backing

Condition: Excellent

Dimensions: 28" x 6" each

Inventory number: TX5342