Chin Woman's Wrap Skirt

Navy cloth on top, claret red below, and a row of cowries marking the border.

This woman's wrap skirt is Chin, from Chin State on the India border, Burma, and dates to the 20th century. It is woven cotton and cowrie. Chin weavers are known for striped and patterned textiles woven on backstrap looms, and cowrie shells are widely used across Asia as decoration. The upper part is a plain deep indigo. Below a thin line of white shells and yellow thread, a wide red band is edged with bands of fine geometric pattern in black, orange and green. It is 39 inches wide and 36 long.

Sober up top, a little festive at the hem.