East, South & Southeast Asian Textiles
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.
Hanging (palepai), Paminggir people, Indonesia, Sumatra, Lampung, the Kalianda Peninsula, 1875-1900, 1962.41.1.
Sash (detail), India, 1776-1800, 6.315.
Robe, China, 1870-1890, 1973.30.2.
Rank badge, China, Qing dynasty, 1800-1830, 51.51.
Eijun Shiroma, kimono, Japan, Okinawa Island, 2017, 2017.8.1.
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.