Traditional Lao Woven Textile
From collection LAO TEXTILES by LINDA MCINTOSH
Traditional Lao Woven Textile
This textile is a traditional Lao woven piece, specifically a 'pha sin' or a significant portion of a wrap-around skirt. The garment is constructed from hand-woven fabric featuring a complex arrangement of decorative motifs. The upper portion of the textile displays broad vertical stripes in alternating shades of dark brown and tan, providing a visual contrast to the more intricate lower sections. The main body of the cloth is divided into horizontal registers, separated by solid dark bands. Within these registers, the design is composed of narrow vertical stripes densely packed with geometric patterns. These motifs include diamonds, hooked lozenges, and zig-zags, rendered in a palette of red, yellow, orange, and white threads. The bottom of the textile is finished with a wide decorative border, known in Lao as 'tin sin'. This border features a series of prominent, sharp-angled triangular and diamond shapes in yellow and red, which is a hallmark of Lao weaving artistry. The technical execution involves a base of plain weave with supplemental weft techniques—likely 'khit' (continuous) or 'chok' (discontinuous)—to create the raised, embroidery-like patterns. The material appears to be a mix of silk and cotton, with the silk providing a characteristic sheen to the decorative elements. The overall composition reflects the regional Tai-Lao aesthetic, where complex geometry and vibrant color play a central role in textile identity. The condition appears stable with clean motifs, though the top and bottom edges remain raw.
Costume
1960.00
Silk, Cotton
Supplementary weft (khit/koh)
Geometric motifs, vertical stripes, diamond border
Very good
Laos
Laos
Full view showing the horizontal registers, vertical geometric bands, and decorative bottom border.