E1116: Hmong Pandau Reverse Applique, Elephants Foot Motif

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E1116

Classification Category:

8:Communication Artifacts ➞ Art/Folk Art

Materials:

fabric ➔ cloth ➔ cotton

Dimensions:

74.5 cm L
77.5 cm W

Ethnic Group:

Asian ➞ Hmong

Source Locality:

Decorah, Iowa

Acquisition Date:

January 30 2015

Description:

This pandau is handmade from Decorah in the 1980s. It has two notable symbols that are common in Hmong textiles. The thin red bands that loop around the center 6 times, create the elephants foot, which symbolizes prosperity. The solid red triangles on the corners and within the elephants foot arm tiger/shark teeth (or can even be mountains) which will thwart against attacks by malevolent forces/spirits, thus protecting an individual or group of people. This motif appears because of its significance to the Hmong, who lived in the hills of Laos

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