E1502: Hmong Pandau Cross Stitch Bookmark

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E1502

Classification Category:

8:Communication Artifacts ➞ Art/Folk Art

Materials:

fabric ➔ cloth ➔ cotton ➔ Aida
fabric ➔ cloth ➔ ribbon
fabric ➔ thread ➔ embroidery thread

Dimensions:

30 cm L
1.75 cm W

Ethnic Group:

Asian ➞ Hmong

Production Date:

1970s or 1980s

Use/Function:

This item would have been most likely sold at a Hmong market after being made in a refugee camp, we can assume this because of the fine stitching.

Source Locality:

not sure on production location; acquired in Decorah, IA

Acquisition Date:

1980s

Description:

This pandau ribbon bookmark is hand stitched from the 1980s. The motif featured in the cross stitching is called vegetable blossom in Hmong culture. The design feature here is very similar if not identical to the design that was sewn on Hmong belts for traditional dress. Most likely a piece of folkart such as this bookmark would have been made by a young Hmong girl and sold at a market or another Hmong event.

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