Minneapolis Institute of Art

Sleeping blanket (Phaa hom lai)

Lao-Tai

Date

20th century

Medium

Cotton, supplementary weft patterning, needlework

Culture

Lao-Tai

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

In the Lao-Tai culture bed linens form an important part of a woman's dowry. A prospective bride was expected to prepare as many as ten sets of mattresses, pillows and blankets, and one mosquito net prior to the wedding. Although the bride weaves most of these items herself, other family members may assist her if the dowry is unusually large. Geometric designs, hook-shaped motifs and lozenges provide the basic imagery for bed furnishings, but birds, animals and mythological creatures appear frequently as well. This blanket features two bands of monkeys prancing along the perimeter of each diamond shape. Laos, Asia

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