Material: Cotton
Style: Hmong, South China
Size: Height 82 cm, Width 36 cm
Order Number: MHSHBC1

The Miao people are one of China’s major ethnic groups. They live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong first started to migrate out of China and into Southeast Asia around 1800.

The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong. The Blue Hmong are also called Green Hmong. The names come from the colours of the Hmong style clothing worn by each group.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

Costumes and ornaments are considered by the Miao not only to satisfy the basic needs of life but also as precious works of art that represent the thoughts and efforts of the Maio people. They have mastered the arts of embroidery and batik.

Miao embroidery employs bold colours – green, red, bright blue, orange,  yellow and white, often on a black or  blue background.

They also used geometric patterns. The designs are  delicate and clear cut. The geometric patterns are similar to those of the Yao people and they may have had a common ancestor.

Hmong mothers devote their finest skills in making baby carrying cloths and caps. A carrying cloth resembles a bibbed apron. It is made of 2 rectangular pieces of cloth, the smaller at the top, joined together at the borders.

Straps attached to the outer corners tie around the mother’s body to secure the baby on to her back freeing her hands for other tasks.

Textiles and clothing are prized by the Hmong as family treasures, as examples of women’s needlework skills and symbols of collective ethnic identity.

There are two Hmong dialects: Blue and White. In Blue Hmong, a baby carrier is spelled hla nyia. In White Hmong, it is spelled daim nyias.

Women receive a baby carrier from their mother and/or mother-in-law when they marry or give birth to their first child for its use, but also to show desire for the couple to have many children. Hmong men and women are not considered to be adults until they have children.

When a baby is born, its paternal grandmother will make a baby carrier or a hat. Both of these objects provide physical as well as
spiritual functions, because the decoration will attract and help keep the baby’s soul in the body as well as draw protective spirits.

Baby carriers are used to carry and care for babies and small children and protect them from physical and spiritual harm. In Laos, mothers carry their infants or small child in a baby carrier to the family fields to work. Keeping the child in the carrier keeps them out of harm’s way which includes the child wandering off, hurting themselves, or being attacked by wild animals.

The spiritual protection comes from the surface embellishment which foils malevolent ‘wild’ spirits and prevents them from taking or enticing the child’s soul to leave the body.  A person becomes ill when his soul leaves the body. The geometric patterns on the central panel keep the child’s soul from leaving the body and the bad spirits from getting close to the child.

During Miao holidays they wear their colourful costumes.

Early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

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Material: Coins, beads
Style: Afghanistan
Size:  Height 23 cm, Width 17 cm
Order Number: MHSOAN

Tribal necklace from the Kochi tribe in Afghanistan who live in the mountains.

The National Multi-Sectoral Assessment of Kochi in 2004, estimated that there are about 2.4 million Kochis in Afghanistan. About 1.5 million (60%) are fully nomadic^.

They are nomads and semi-nomads, and mostly keep sheep and goats. Meat, dairy products, hair and wool from their animals is exchanged or sold to purchase grain, vegetables, fruit and other products. An extensive network of exchange has developed along the main routes followed by the nomads.

These long-distance routes were closed in the early 1960s when the border with Afghanistan and Pakistan was closed, but many Kochis are still allowed to cross. Migrations inside Afghanistan still continue, although trucks are now used to move livestock and people.

Early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Afghan Necklace appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Beads, tassels
Style: Afghanistan – Uzbek
Size:  Height 85 cm, Width 19 cm
Order Number: MHSAAUWHD1

Central Asian Uzbek people are found mainly in Uzbekistan and  other parts of Central Asia and Afghanistan. More than 16 million Uzbeks live in Uzbekistan and about 2,000,000 in Afghanistan.

Uzbek tribal bead and braided hair decoration with silver caps and ring ornaments and tassels. Long braided hair was decorated in rural areas to show the girl’s beauty.

Map of Afghanistan.

Early – mid 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Afghanistan Uzbek Woman’s Hair Decoration appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Bukhara, Uzbekistan 
Size:  Height 137 cm, Width 78 cm
Order Number: MHSATG2

Bukhara  is a city in Uzbekistan located on the Silk Road. People have lived in the area around Bukhara for at least 5,000 years and the city has existed for 2,500 years. Bukhara has long served as a centre of trade, scholarship, culture and religion.

This would be a traditional robe of honour, a loose coat of padded cotton,  called a chapan for an Uzbek ruler to present to a guest or courtier.

About 50-60 years old.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

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Material: Cotton
Style: Russian
Size:  Length 341 cm, Width 83 cm
Order Number: MHSACARC1

During the 19th century industrialisation of the Russian textile industry flooded the Central Asian market.

Russian printed cotton cloth is found in the ethnic dress and household textiles of the eastern reaches of the Russian Empire, particularly Uzbekistan and other areas of Central Asia. Great quantities were also sold to Mongolia, Afghanistan, Persia and China.

Linings of central Asian textiles were also made from Russian printed cottons with their striking floral and paisley designs. Some prints were specially designed incorporating Arabic letters and featuring green. It is said that green was Mohammed’s favourite colour. He was said to have worn a green cloak and turban and his writings are full of references to green. The Quran describes paradise as a place where people ‘will wear green garments of fine silk’.

The paisley pattern uses the Persian  botah motif, a teardrop-shaped motif with a curved upper end and a version of the ‘tree of life’. It became popular in the West in the 18th and 19th centuries, following imports from India, especially Kashmir shawls, which were introduced by the The British East India Company to England and Scotland where they were extremely fashionable. The name comes from the town of Paisley in west Scotland, a textile centre where paisley designs were produced.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

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Material: Sequins
Style: China
Size: Height 8 cm, Diameter 23 cm
Order Number: MHSACHS1

Early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Chinese Hat 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: China
Size:  Diameter 2 cm
Order Number: MHSACHA1

The tradition of jewelry-making in China goes back at least to the Neolithic Period, and silver work at least as far back as 300 BC. Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912) silversmiths combined usefulness with elegance, grace and beauty.

Chinese  infants’ and children’s hats were elaborately embroidered and designed to give protection from evil spirits, demons and ghosts. They were worn until about the age of five. Maternal grandmothers made them and decorated them with silver amulets for protection and status.

The adornments, which would have been sewn in, represent the Eight Immortals. In Chinese mythology, the Ba Xian or Eight Immortals, are a group of legendary heroes who  fight for justice and against evil.

The Immortals are human beings, who became immortal through self-cultivation. They sit between human beings and gods and act as mediators between earth and heaven. They are models for achieving immortality through leading a morally blameless life.

They are important figures in Taoism and are the subject of many paintings, potteries and sculptures.

The Eight Immortals.

Their names are:

• Cao Guo Jiu—holding a jade tablet.
• Han Xiang Zi—holding or playing a flute, a musical prodigy.
• He Xian Gu—the only woman of the Ba Xian. She carries a lotus flower or a reed pipe instrument called the sheng. 
• Lan Cai He—holding a basket of fruit.
• Li Ti Guai—holding a cane and gourd.
• Lü Dong Bin—dressed in scholar’s robes and holding a large sword.
• Zhang Guo Lao—riding a white mule and carrying a bamboo fish  drum, mallets and a peach of immortality.
• Zhong Li Quan—wearing robes that reveal his bare belly and a long beard that reaches his navel.

The Ba Xian are still popular subjects in art, literature,  movies and television.

There are examples in Four Centuries of Silver, Personal Adornment in the Qing Dynasty and After, Margaret Duda, Times Editions, 2002, page 129.

20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Chinese Hat Adornments 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: China
Size:  Height 2.5 cm, Width 2 cm
Order Number: MHSACHA2

The tradition of jewelry-making in China goes back at least to the Neolithic Period, and silver work at least as far back as 300 BC. Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912) silversmiths combined usefulness with elegance, grace and beauty.

Chinese  infants’ and children’s hats were elaborately embroidered and designed to give protection from evil spirits, demons and ghosts. They were worn until about the age of five. Maternal grandmothers made them and decorated them with silver amulets for protection and status.

The adornments, which would have been sewn in, represent the Eight Immortals. In Chinese mythology, the Ba Xian or Eight Immortals, are a group of legendary heroes who  fight for justice and against evil.

The Immortals are human beings, who became immortal through self-cultivation. They sit between human beings and gods and act as mediators between earth and heaven. They are models for achieving immortality through leading a morally blameless life.

They are important figures in Taoism and are the subject of many paintings, potteries and sculptures.

The Eight Immortals.

Their names are:

• Cao Guo Jiu—holding a jade tablet.
• Han Xiang Zi—holding or playing a flute, a musical prodigy.
• He Xian Gu—the only woman of the Ba Xian. She carries a lotus flower or a reed pipe instrument called the sheng. 
• Lan Cai He—holding a basket of fruit.
• Li Ti Guai—holding a cane and gourd.
• Lü Dong Bin—dressed in scholar’s robes and holding a large sword.
• Zhang Guo Lao—riding a white mule and carrying a bamboo fish  drum, mallets and a peach of immortality.
• Zhong Li Quan—wearing robes that reveal his bare belly and a long beard that reaches his navel.

The Ba Xian are still popular subjects in art, literature,  movies and television.

One (bottom right) is missing and has been replaced by the same one on bottom left and the 2nd one on both rows look the same.

There are examples in Four Centuries of Silver, Personal Adornment in the Qing Dynasty and After, Margaret Duda, Times Editions, 2002, page 129.

20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Chinese Hat Adornments 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: South China
Size: Height 11 cm (front),  22 cm (back), Diameter 16 cm
Order Number: MHSACMH1

There are 55 officially recognised ethnic groups in China.

Early – mid 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Chinese Minority Hat 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: South China
Size: Height 22 cm (to fringe), 48 cm (to bottom of flaps), Width 21 cm
Order Number: MHSACMH2

There are 55 officially recognised ethnic groups in China.

Early – mid 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Chinese Minority Hat 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: China
Size:  Diameter 2 cm
Order Number: MHSACSBB1

The tradition of jewelry-making in China goes back at least to the Neolithic Period, and silver work at least as far back as 300 BC. Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912) silversmiths combined usefulness with elegance, grace and beauty, even for such items as buttons.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Chinese Silver Buttons 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: China
Size:  Diameter 2 cm
Order Number: MHSACSBB2

The tradition of jewelry-making in China goes back at least to the Neolithic Period, and silver work at least as far back as 300 BC. Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912) silversmiths combined usefulness with elegance, grace and beauty, even for such items as buttons.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Chinese Silver Buttons 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: China
Size:  Diameter 1.75 cm
Order Number: MHSACSBB3

The tradition of jewelry-making in China goes back at least to the Neolithic Period, and silver work at least as far back as 300 BC. Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912) silversmiths combined usefulness with elegance, grace and beauty, even for such items as buttons.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Chinese Silver Buttons 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton, mirror
Style: Gujarat, India
Size:  Height 9 cm (front)  22 cm (back), Diameter 14 cm
Order Number: MHSAAHH1

Mid-20th century.

Map of Bhuj.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Gujarat Girl’s Headdress appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cloth
Style: Maio, South China
Size: Height 11 cm, Width 19 cm
Order Number: MHSAMBH1

The Miao people are one of China’s major ethnic groups. They live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

Costumes and ornaments are considered by the Miao not only to satisfy the basic needs of life but also as precious works of art that represent the thoughts and efforts of the Maio people. Their clothes are often black but can be colourful and artistic. They have mastered the arts of embroidery and batik.

Miao embroidery employs bold colours – green, red, bright blue, orange,  yellow and white, often on a black or  blue background.

Mountains, butterflies, flowers and birds from Miao mythology are often embroidered. The Miao believe they are descended from the Butterfly Mother, who laid 12 eggs. One hatched and became the Miao people. The other eggs became the other animals in the world, so that the Miao would not be lonely. Daily village life is also depicted.

From the age of 6 or 7 girls start to learn needlework, weaving and dyeing.  Those living near water embroider fish and shrimp designs and those living near mountains embroider flowers and birds. They also used geometric patterns. The designs are  delicate and clear cut. The geometric patterns are similar to those of the Yao people and they may have had a common ancestor. Before marriage they are busy making their wedding trousseaux (jiazhuang).

Miao baby hats provide protection from evil spirits, demons, and ghosts. They are also designed to inculcate the baby with happiness, long life, wealth, health, beauty, courage, grace and academic success.

The adornments represent the Eight Immortals. In Chinese mythology, the Ba Xian or Eight Immortals, are a group of legendary heroes who  fight for justice and against evil.

The Immortals are human beings, who became immortal through self-cultivation. They sit between human beings and gods and act as mediators between earth and heaven. They are models for achieving immortality through leading a morally blameless life.

During Miao holidays they wear their colourful costumes.

Mid 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Miao Baby Hat 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: South China
Size: Height 15 cm, Diameter 14 cm
Order Number: MHSAMBH2

The Miao people are one of China’s major ethnic groups. They live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

Costumes and ornaments are considered by the Miao not only to satisfy the basic needs of life but also as precious works of art that represent the thoughts and efforts of the Maio people. Their clothes are often black but can be colourful and artistic. They have mastered the arts of embroidery and batik.

Miao embroidery employs bold colours – green, red, bright blue, orange,  yellow and white, often on a black or  blue background.

Mountains, butterflies, flowers and birds from Miao mythology are often embroidered. The Miao believe they are descended from the Butterfly Mother, who laid 12 eggs. One hatched and became the Miao people. The other eggs became the other animals in the world, so that the Miao would not be lonely. Daily village life is also depicted.

From the age of 6 or 7 girls start to learn needlework, weaving and dyeing.  Those living near water embroider fish and shrimp designs and those living near mountains embroider flowers and birds. They also used geometric patterns. The designs are  delicate and clear cut. The geometric patterns are similar to those of the Yao people and they may have had a common ancestor. Before marriage they are busy making their wedding trousseaux (jiazhuang).

Miao baby hats provide protection from evil spirits, demons, and ghosts. They are also designed to inculcate the baby with happiness, long life, wealth, health, beauty, courage, grace and academic success.

The Chinese words for ‘cat’ and ‘butterfly’ sound the same as the words for ‘octogenarian’ or ’80 year old ‘ and ‘septuagenarian’ or ’70 year old’, hence cats and butterflies symbolise a wish for longevity.

The butterfly is also a symbol for happiness and 2 butterflies are for marital happiness. It also symbolises summer and joy. They are often shown with poenies, which symbolise prosperity. Colourful butterflies often adorn baby hats.

Baby hats are sometimes decorated with pomegranates. Red pomegranates, with many green seeds inside, have a sweet and sour taste. They came from Mongolia during the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). The word for ‘seed’ is a hononym for ‘child’ (two words with the same pronunciation but different meanings). So, plenty of seeds, plenty of children.

Charms and designs are put on children’s hats to protect them from evil spirits and harm. Tigers or just their bulging eyes decorated boys’ hats, but not girls’ hats. Sometimes they wore matching tiger shoes. The tiger symbolises courage, dignity and ferocity. The Chinese symbol  for tiger is often written on the hat. Stone tigers in front of temples ward off ghosts, thieves and fire.

During Miao holidays they wear their colourful costumes.

Mid 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Miao Baby Hat 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Miao, South China
Size: Height 9 cm (front), 18 cm (back), Diameter 12 cm
Order Number: MHSAMBH3

The Miao people are one of China’s major ethnic groups. They live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

Costumes and ornaments are considered by the Miao not only to satisfy the basic needs of life but also as precious works of art that represent the thoughts and efforts of the Maio people. Their clothes are often black but can be colourful and artistic. They have mastered the arts of embroidery and batik.

Miao embroidery employs bold colours – green, red, bright blue, orange,  yellow and white, often on a black or  blue background.

Mountains, butterflies, flowers and birds from Miao mythology are often embroidered. The Miao believe they are descended from the Butterfly Mother, who laid 12 eggs. One hatched and became the Miao people. The other eggs became the other animals in the world, so that the Miao would not be lonely. Daily village life is also depicted.

From the age of 6 or 7 girls start to learn needlework, weaving and dyeing.  Those living near water embroider fish and shrimp designs and those living near mountains embroider flowers and birds. They also used geometric patterns. The designs are  delicate and clear cut. The geometric patterns are similar to those of the Yao people and they may have had a common ancestor. Before marriage they are busy making their wedding trousseaux (jiazhuang).

Miao baby hats provide protection from evil spirits, demons, and ghosts. They are also designed to inculcate the baby with happiness, long life, wealth, health, beauty, courage, grace and academic success.

The Chinese words for ‘cat’ and ‘butterfly’ sound the same as the words for ‘octogenarian’ or ’80 year old ‘ and ‘septuagenarian’ or ’70 year old’, hence cats and butterflies symbolise a wish for longevity.

The butterfly is also a symbol for happiness and 2 butterflies are for marital happiness. It also symbolises summer and joy. They are often shown with poenies, which symbolise prosperity. Colourful butterflies often adorn baby hats.

Baby hats are sometimes decorated with pomegranates. Red pomegranates, with many green seeds inside, have a sweet and sour taste. They came from Mongolia during the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). The word for ‘seed’ is a hononym for ‘child’ (two words with the same pronunciation but different meanings). So, plenty of seeds, plenty of children.

Charms and designs are put on children’s hats to protect them from evil spirits and harm. Tigers or just their bulging eyes decorated boys’ hats, but not girls’ hats. Sometimes they wore matching tiger shoes. The tiger symbolises courage, dignity and ferocity. The Chinese symbol  for tiger is often written on the hat. Stone tigers in front of temples ward off ghosts, thieves and fire.

During Miao holidays they wear their colourful costumes.

Mid 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Miao Baby Hat 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Miao, South China
Size: Height 15 cm, Diameter 14 cm
Order Number: MHSAMBH4

The Miao people are one of China’s major ethnic groups. They live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

Costumes and ornaments are considered by the Miao not only to satisfy the basic needs of life but also as precious works of art that represent the thoughts and efforts of the Maio people. Their clothes are often black but can be colourful and artistic. They have mastered the arts of embroidery and batik.

Miao embroidery employs bold colours – green, red, bright blue, orange,  yellow and white, often on a black or  blue background.

Mountains, butterflies, flowers and birds from Miao mythology are often embroidered. The Miao believe they are descended from the Butterfly Mother, who laid 12 eggs. One hatched and became the Miao people. The other eggs became the other animals in the world, so that the Miao would not be lonely. Daily village life is also depicted.

From the age of 6 or 7 girls start to learn needlework, weaving and dyeing.  Those living near water embroider fish and shrimp designs and those living near mountains embroider flowers and birds. They also used geometric patterns. The designs are  delicate and clear cut. The geometric patterns are similar to those of the Yao people and they may have had a common ancestor. Before marriage they are busy making their wedding trousseaux (jiazhuang).

Miao baby hats provide protection from evil spirits, demons, and ghosts. They are also designed to inculcate the baby with happiness, long life, wealth, health, beauty, courage, grace and academic success.

The Chinese words for ‘cat’ and ‘butterfly’ sound the same as the words for ‘octogenarian’ or ’80 year old ‘ and ‘septuagenarian’ or ’70 year old’, hence cats and butterflies symbolise a wish for longevity.

The butterfly is also a symbol for happiness and 2 butterflies are for marital happiness. It also symbolises summer and joy. They are often shown with poenies, which symbolise prosperity. Colourful butterflies often adorn baby hats.

Baby hats are sometimes decorated with pomegranates. Red pomegranates, with many green seeds inside, have a sweet and sour taste. They came from Mongolia during the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). The word for ‘seed’ is a hononym for ‘child’ (two words with the same pronunciation but different meanings). So, plenty of seeds, plenty of children.

Charms and designs are put on children’s hats to protect them from evil spirits and harm. Tigers or just their bulging eyes decorated boys’ hats, but not girls’ hats. Sometimes they wore matching tiger shoes. The tiger symbolises courage, dignity and ferocity. The Chinese symbol  for tiger is often written on the hat. Stone tigers in front of temples ward off ghosts, thieves and fire.

During Miao holidays they wear their colourful costumes.

Mid 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Miao Baby Hat 4 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Miao, South China
Size: Height 13 cm, Diameter 17 cm
Order Number: MHSAMBH5

The Miao people are one of China’s major ethnic groups. They live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

Costumes and ornaments are considered by the Miao not only to satisfy the basic needs of life but also as precious works of art that represent the thoughts and efforts of the Maio people. Their clothes are often black but can be colourful and artistic. They have mastered the arts of embroidery and batik.

Miao embroidery employs bold colours – green, red, bright blue, orange,  yellow and white, often on a black or  blue background.

Mountains, butterflies, flowers and birds from Miao mythology are often embroidered. The Miao believe they are descended from the Butterfly Mother, who laid 12 eggs. One hatched and became the Miao people. The other eggs became the other animals in the world, so that the Miao would not be lonely. Daily village life is also depicted.

From the age of 6 or 7 girls start to learn needlework, weaving and dyeing.  Those living near water embroider fish and shrimp designs and those living near mountains embroider flowers and birds. They also used geometric patterns. The designs are  delicate and clear cut. The geometric patterns are similar to those of the Yao people and they may have had a common ancestor. Before marriage they are busy making their wedding trousseaux (jiazhuang).

Miao baby hats provide protection from evil spirits, demons, and ghosts. They are also designed to inculcate the baby with happiness, long life, wealth, health, beauty, courage, grace and academic success.

The Chinese words for ‘cat’ and ‘butterfly’ sound the same as the words for ‘octogenarian’ or ’80 year old ‘ and ‘septuagenarian’ or ’70 year old’, hence cats and butterflies symbolise a wish for longevity.

The butterfly is also a symbol for happiness and 2 butterflies are for marital happiness. It also symbolises summer and joy. They are often shown with poenies, which symbolise prosperity. Colourful butterflies often adorn baby hats.

Baby hats are sometimes decorated with pomegranates. Red pomegranates, with many green seeds inside, have a sweet and sour taste. They came from Mongolia during the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). The word for ‘seed’ is a hononym for ‘child’ (two words with the same pronunciation but different meanings). So, plenty of seeds, plenty of children.

Charms and designs are put on children’s hats to protect them from evil spirits and harm. Tigers or just their bulging eyes decorated boys’ hats, but not girls’ hats. Sometimes they wore matching tiger shoes. The tiger symbolises courage, dignity and ferocity. The Chinese symbol  for tiger is often written on the hat. Stone tigers in front of temples ward off ghosts, thieves and fire.

During Miao holidays they wear their colourful costumes.

Mid 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Miao Baby Hat 5 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Miao, South China
Size: Height 9 cm (front) , 12 cm (back), Width 13 cm, Diameter 8 cm
Order Number: MHSAMBH6

The Miao people are one of China’s major ethnic groups. They live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

Costumes and ornaments are considered by the Miao not only to satisfy the basic needs of life but also as precious works of art that represent the thoughts and efforts of the Maio people. Their clothes are often black but can be colourful and artistic. They have mastered the arts of embroidery and batik.

Miao embroidery employs bold colours – green, red, bright blue, orange,  yellow and white, often on a black or  blue background.

Mountains, butterflies, flowers and birds from Miao mythology are often embroidered. The Miao believe they are descended from the Butterfly Mother, who laid 12 eggs. One hatched and became the Miao people. The other eggs became the other animals in the world, so that the Miao would not be lonely. Daily village life is also depicted.

From the age of 6 or 7 girls start to learn needlework, weaving and dyeing.  Those living near water embroider fish and shrimp designs and those living near mountains embroider flowers and birds. They also used geometric patterns. The designs are  delicate and clear cut. The geometric patterns are similar to those of the Yao people and they may have had a common ancestor. Before marriage they are busy making their wedding trousseaux (jiazhuang).

Miao baby hats provide protection from evil spirits, demons, and ghosts. They are also designed to inculcate the baby with happiness, long life, wealth, health, beauty, courage, grace and academic success.

The Chinese words for ‘cat’ and ‘butterfly’ sound the same as the words for ‘octogenarian’ or ’80 year old ‘ and ‘septuagenarian’ or ’70 year old’, hence cats and butterflies symbolise a wish for longevity.

The butterfly is also a symbol for happiness and 2 butterflies are for marital happiness. It also symbolises summer and joy. They are often shown with poenies, which symbolise prosperity. Colourful butterflies often adorn baby hats.

Baby hats are sometimes decorated with pomegranates. Red pomegranates, with many green seeds inside, have a sweet and sour taste. They came from Mongolia during the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). The word for ‘seed’ is a hononym for ‘child’ (two words with the same pronunciation but different meanings). So, plenty of seeds, plenty of children.

Charms and designs are put on children’s hats to protect them from evil spirits and harm. Tigers or just their bulging eyes decorated boys’ hats, but not girls’ hats. Sometimes they wore matching tiger shoes. The tiger symbolises courage, dignity and ferocity. The Chinese symbol  for tiger is often written on the hat. Stone tigers in front of temples ward off ghosts, thieves and fire.

During Miao holidays they wear their colourful costumes.

Mid 20th century.

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