169 Antique Yao Head Cloth

Very Rare Antique Yao Hilltribe Woven Textile with Silk Floss Embroidery on Handspun cotton

Worn on the head in a turban-like tie,the ends of this rare head cloth have been woven with silk-floss thread.

Hand spun cotton with silk-floss embroidery.

Amazing variety of motifs woven in silk on the the end panels. (Could not stop taking photos of this marvelous piece!)

Condition is not perfect - has signs of a hearty life lived serving the original purpose of its creation. Has 2-3 very early repair patches that appear to be as old as the cloth. Has holes and minor color run. The white is completely shaded and is now a shade of brown.

Estimated to be from the early to mid 1800s

136 inches x 12 inches. [very very long]

LITERATURE REFERENCE : Similar pieces may be seen in "Peoples of the Golden Triangle" by Paul & Elaine Lewis.

***

This item has spent a lifetime being used for the purpose of its creation with the original artist/user. Signs of this life lived heartily may be present on the piece in the form of stains, thread loss, loose threads, holes, tears, color run and other imperfections. Therefore the condition must be assumed to be “not” perfect. More photos of such imperfections will be provided on request.

***