Mid-20th Century Man's Ceremonial (cofradía) Outfit, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

Black star jacket from the Hmong people Laos, early 20th century A boldly decorated jacket with bright appliqué’ star shapes and intricate cross-stitch embroidery is a unique example...

Noblewoman’s Ceremonial Overskirt Shoowa People, DR Congo Mid 20th century Raffia, palm fiber, stem stitch and cut pile embroidery 42.5 x 2 ins. (108 x 51 cm) An unusual overskirt ...

Painted bark with traditional Kuba patterns. This is a dance outfit, the wearer would be masked.

An oversized and impressive cape worn during ceremonial dancing by Miao people (also known as Hmong in English) from Guizhou Province, China circa 1940s-1950s in a rarely intact and well-preserved condition. Miao people are diverse minority groups 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 traditions. 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 pattern strikes the viewer with a strong sense of dignity and power. The heavy material and pattern are strangely akin to some of the Navajo weaving. 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...