Buyi Cotton Baby Carrier

A woven band in red, magenta and blue diamonds, with a brown flap hanging below.

This baby carrier is Buyi, from near Anshun, Guizhou Province, China, and dates to the 20th century. It is woven cotton & silk. Once infants outgrew their carriers, they were stored carefully and sometimes handed down as heirlooms, and a mother parting with one would often cut off the long ties and keep them. The broad striped textile is dominated by diamond patterns in magenta, red and teal between dark borders. Below it, a brown triangular cloth drops to a small pale pouch. The cloth is folded in an arc. It is 196 inches wide and 27 long.

Bold on top, and quite practical below.