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
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
