This extraordinary textile is all hand woven and hand embroidered. It is the top part of a larger textile, the other parts of which are of less interest from a technical viewpoint. Used as a baby carrier, to secure a baby to a woman's back, the other parts, the parts that were most important in keeping the baby attached, would probably have been very worn and were removed before this part, the decorative part, was sold. Clearly the Miao tribe (in Yunnan province of southern China) owner of this baby carrier was very proud of its beauty and its exceptional quality. Part of what stands out from a weaver's point of view is the white piping that is horsehair, wrapped very tightly with white thread. This is an extremely fine example, though heavily worn, of an artistic style which has largely disappeared.

This magnificent object measures 22 1/4 x 16 1/4" (56.5 x 41 cm)