A richly embroidered baby carrier from the Xa Phang people, dating to the mid to late 20th century. Made from dark cotton cloth with appliqué, embroidery, and pieced textile panels, it combines vivid color with a strong graphic structure.
Among the Xa Phang, baby carriers are both practical and deeply personal objects. They allow a mother to keep her child close throughout daily life, from the fields to the market to ceremonial settings. At the same time, they offer a highly visible expression of textile skill, maternal care, and cultural identity.
Each baby carrier was traditionally made with its own distinct design, reflecting the individuality of the child. This example is especially striking for its layered construction, bright embroidered borders, and central floral panel, all set against a dark ground. The long carrying straps, worked with repeated floral and geometric motifs, add to the piece’s sense of movement and visual richness.
Size: 1'1" (11'6" full width across with tie) x 2'10"
Age: Mid-Late 20th Century
Origin: Xa Phang (Northern Vietnam/Laos border region)
Type of Textile: Baby Carrier
Material: Indigo-dyed cotton with finely worked hand embroidery and appliqué, incorporating early machine stitching
Condition: Good. Wear to threads and back lining from use. Holes in the lining
TX729
