• detailed photo of Antique Laotian Silk Scarf
  • full photo of Antique Laotian Silk Scarf
  • detailed photo of Antique Laotian Silk Scarf
  • detailed photo of Antique Laotian Silk Scarf
  • detailed photo of Antique Laotian Silk Scarf
  • detailed photo of Antique Laotian Silk Scarf
  • detailed photo of Antique Laotian Silk Scarf
  • detailed photo of Antique Laotian Silk Scarf
  • detailed photo of Antique Laotian Silk Scarf
  • detailed photo of Antique Laotian Silk Scarf
  • detialed photo of Antique Laotian Silk Scarf
  • detailed photo of Antique Laotian Silk Scarf
  • detailed photo of Antique Laotian Silk Scarf

Antique Laotian Silk Scarf Used in Ceremonies, Laos

Cloths such as this one are called daeng pha biang and are worn as a shoulder during important Laotian ceremonies. They are also used by shamans during healing ceremonies. The central diamond motif called duang tda is supposed to represent the eye of God and help to focus the shaman and direct energy.
A beautifully woven old textile

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SKU: TASL/601 Categories: , Tags: , ,

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TASL/601
Tai Neua
Laos
Shoulder cloth, daeng pha biang
Homespun silk and cotton
15.5 in. X 81 in.
Good condition, a few small holes with native repairs. One .75 in area on the selvage has damage

Textiles like this old daeng pha biang are very important to the Tai peoples living in Laos and are only taken out during special occasions. They are woven to a particular set of rules that govern them. During a wedding ceremony they are presented to the mother-in-law by the bride during (Cheesman). Discontinuous supplementary weft silk patterning with its central diamond motif, duang tda, banned by two rows of cotton indigo design depicting dragons and what resembles a water buffalo motif. The middle of the textile is left with tight 8.5 in plain weave area. According to Maxwell the reason for not decorating this area has long been forgotten. Following that is a 23 inch area of supplementary silk patterns of diamonds, nagas, anthropomorphic forms as well as other motifs.
Cassidy claims they also perform an important use as a pha khaseung, a shaman or healer’s ceremonial head cloth. It would be folded and wrapped around the head of the healer so that the central diamond motif, duang tda, is across the forehead of the healer.
CIRA 19th – early 20th century.