Sarong

NameSarong

CultureKatu or Ta-Oi

DateEarly to mid-20th century

Place madePossibly Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Asia

Place madeLaos, Southeast Asia, Asia

MediumCotton, metal beads

DimensionsOverall: 45 11/16 x 60 1/4 in. (116 x 153 cm)

Credit LineGift of Janis and William Wetsman

Object numberA.2011.36.2

DescriptionDark blue and brick red cotton sarong of two horizontal strips woven with metal beads. Dark blue ground has four narrow, lighter red bands on each side of central seam, which is sewn together with light blue thread. On the outer (top and bottom) selvaged edges are five red stripes. Fine dashed stripes run vertically through the fabric, with small metal beaded motifs of diamonds, stars, + and hourglass forms, etc. centered within. On one side (likely the top), the spaces between the pairs of crosswise stripes are unadorned, while on the other side (hem?), the spaces between the stripes are filled with a long horizontal bands of zigzags, rows of triangles, and interlocking diamond motifs. The majority of the beads have dulled to gray, but some remain the original white.