Chin Woman's Tunic

Vertical stripes of maroon, brown and orange run through a woven cloth with a neck notch.

This woman's woven cotton tunic with shell decoration is Chin, from India border, Burma / India border, and dates to the 20th century. The Chin are a group of related peoples living in the hills of western Myanmar and neighboring parts of India, and weaving on backstrap looms is generally women's work. Textile with an inset slit at the top center and bold vertical panels, some plain maroon and others in small diamond-patterned weave. Narrow black borders edge the sides, and orange bands brighten the middle. It is 21 inches wide and 17 long.

Warm stripes, careful weaving, and no wasted space.