East, South & Southeast Asian Textiles

 

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Textiles from China, Japan and Korea make up our East Asian collection. A significant number are clothing and furnishings for China’s upper class — including Qing-dynasty rank badges, dragon robes and other imperial dress. Minority cultures of southwest China are represented through costume and jewelry. From Japan, our collection includes a unique group from the Ainu and Okinawan cultures.

Our Southeast Asian holdings focus on Indonesian textiles, but also include "piña" cloth from the Philippines, weavings from various ethnic groups in Laos and weavings from Chin peoples in Myanmar.

Textiles from South Asia include outstanding decorative pieces from India and a small selection from Bhutan.

Long textile depicting two large red ships
 

Hanging (palepai), Paminggir people, Indonesia, Sumatra, Lampung, the Kalianda Peninsula, 1875-1900, 1962.41.1.

Detail of four white iris plants on textile
 

Sash (detail), India, 1776-1800, 6.315.

Blue satin robe with dragons
 

Robe, China, 1870-1890, 1973.30.2.

Blue badge depicting a white egret
 

Rank badge, China, Qing dynasty, 1800-1830, 51.51.

Bright yellow robe with floral pattern
 

Eijun Shiroma, kimono, Japan, Okinawa Island, 2017, 2017.8.1.

Red silk textile with gold bands
 

Shoulder cloth (slendang), Indonesia, Bangka, Muntok, 1875-1900, 1986.13.2.

 

Keep Exploring

Learn more about the artworks featured on this page and other examples from our collections.