Buyi Cotton Baby Carrier

A striped woven belt-like cloth with dark ties and a pale pouch hanging below.

This baby carrier is Buyi, from near Anshun, Guizhou Province, China, and dates to the 20th century. It is woven cotton & silk. Making a carrier involved every step from raising silkworms and producing silk to dyeing, embroidering, brocading and appliqué, and the work reflected a girl's love, devotion and creativity. Vertical bands in teal, tan, brown and rust run across the broad strip, with a patterned center panel. A rust-colored triangle gathers into a cream square pouch. Two dark cords trail at the top. It is 196 inches wide and 27 long.

Neat stripes and loose ties, a casual pairing.