Southeast Asian

A Kachin festival skirt from northern Burma, its pattern woven in tight bands. Southeast Asian textiles here come from Thailand, Laos and Burma, made by the Karen, Chin, Kachin and Miao (Hmong) peoples in the 20th century. Karen baby carriers come from the Thai and Burmese border, and a Hmong carrier comes from Laos. Chin women’s tunics and wrap skirts come from the hills along the India and Burma border, where weaving on backstrap looms has long been women’s work.

A Kachin pukhang, or festival skirt, a silk Thai sarong and an eight-panel kalaga with inscriptions widen the small group. Kalaga are Burmese appliqued hangings of velvet and cotton, made for temples and festive display. Hang the kalaga along a hallway, or frame a baby carrier as a small panel above a desk. The group is small, and most of the work is in the details.