Li
Headcloth
Meifu Li Chinese, 1874-1898
Scroll
Li
Headcloth
Meifu Li Chinese, 1874-1898
Physical Qualities
Indigo-dyed cotton with silk and cotton embroidery, 10 x 67 in. (25.4 x 170.2 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Amy Gould and Matthew Polk, Gibson Island, Maryland
Object Number
2006.173
The inscription on this headcloth is a combination of Chinese characters and ones that resemble but do not represent real words. The characters woven in the panel translate to Bound with husband not yet ten years/ cautiously come back dancing phoenix/[my] word respects [you]/as two hundred mother[s] teach. This suggests a connection to a newly widowed member of the Li matrilineal society.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 2006; Matthew Polk, Gibson Island, Maryland, by purchase, Nov. 10, 2005
[Asian Refresh]
Asian Gallery Rotations 2023
Asian Rotations 2024
Huang Ying Feng, "Li," in Writing with Thread: Traditional Textiles of Southwest Chinese Minorities, Honolulu Hawaii: Univerity of Hawaii Art Gallery, 2009, pp.408-419.
Lee J. Chinalai, "Written in Silk", "Hali" vol. 150, pp. 82-85.
Olivier's Li textiles, http://www.tribaltextiles.info/forum/Olivier_i_i.htm on 3/14/2006.
Li textiles: references, http:/www.tribaltextiles.info/forum/Lireference.htm on 3/14/2006.
"Meifu" Li Headcloth," internet http://www.tribaltrappings.com/TACH192.asp dated 3/14/2006, is similar in appearance. Describes item as a headcloth.
Lee J. Chinalai, “Frogs and Ancestors Textiles of the Meifu Li of Hainan", The New York International Show of Tribal & Textile Arts, catalog, May 2004
chrome extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56a0c8c8841abaeb69131425/t/595e09fcd1758e52802d7673/1499335173519/FrogsAndAncestors.pdf
Lee J. Chinalai, "Written in Silk", "Hali" vol. 150, pp. 82-85.
Olivier's Li textiles, http://www.tribaltextiles.info/forum/Olivier_i_i.htm on 3/14/2006.
Li textiles: references, http:/www.tribaltextiles.info/forum/Lireference.htm on 3/14/2006.
"Meifu" Li Headcloth," internet http://www.tribaltrappings.com/TACH192.asp dated 3/14/2006, is similar in appearance. Describes item as a headcloth.
Lee J. Chinalai, “Frogs and Ancestors Textiles of the Meifu Li of Hainan", The New York International Show of Tribal & Textile Arts, catalog, May 2004
chrome extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56a0c8c8841abaeb69131425/t/595e09fcd1758e52802d7673/1499335173519/FrogsAndAncestors.pdf
Inscribed: Embroidered in 16 Chinese characters: Inner edge: xiong fu shì nian wèi Center: wu feng Left edge: jin gui Right edge: zi zun Bottom edge: yu liang bai mu jiao
