About this piece
A black and plum-purple cloth with rows of small squares and coin-like trim.
This baby carrier with bird and floral motifs is Miao (Hmong), from Kaili, Kaili / Taijiang, Guizhou Province, China, and dates to the 20th century. It is applique cotton & silk. Miao is a general term for several ethnic groups of southwest China, including the Hmong, Shui, Yi and Ge Jia, who are famous for their costumes and especially their baby carriers. The central field is covered in horizontal bands of tiny stitched squares in pink, red and cream. A border of round discs and lilac stripes surrounds the sleeves, with plain black arms to the sides. It is 41 inches wide and 29.8 long.
Plum, pink and a bit extravagant.
