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Thumbnail-size images of copyrighted artworks are displayed under fair use, in accordance with guidelines recommended by the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for the Visual Arts, published by the College Art Association in February 2015.
Headdress
Thai (Akha)
1960s?
Medium/Technique
cotton plain weave, embroidered and appliqued; metal coins, shells, beads
Dimensions
Overall: 40.6 × 22.9 × 10.2 cm (16 × 9 × 4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Emanuel Balkin
Accession Number2018.3773
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Contemporary Art, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionWoman's headdress of deep blue (indigo-dyed) cotton, embroidered and trimmed with silver Thai coins, cowrie shells, and seed beads; wool gathered into pointed crown at top; narrow band of light brown fur (possibly gibbon) across central seam at top; three silver metal coins across top crown below groups of three hemispherical metal bosses; front panel decorated with bands of narrow triangle appliques of red, blue, and green wool, embroidered with red wool thread, alternating with additional bands of blue, red, and green geometric embroidery in satin stitch; two rows of three horizontal floriform motifs formed by six cowrie shells centered around hemispherical silver bosses, alternating with four groups of six of same disposed in two vertical rows of three; two large baubles of strung brown seed beads at each ear, with additional looped fringe of same from crown and ears; black bands of strung brown and white seeds across front between rows of cowrie motifs and around front edge; black wool plainweave bands descending from each side of headdress, decorated with cowrie shells, coins, and metal beads, connected by three strands of strung brown seeds; unlined.
ProvenanceBetween about 1962 and 1989, acquired by Emanuel Balkin and Lorraine Balkin (b. 1930 - d. 2017) for Décor International, Boston; 2018, gift of Emanuel Balkin to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 12, 2018)
NOTE: Emanuel and Lorraine Balkin founded and operated the gallery Décor International from 1962 until 1989.
NOTE: Emanuel and Lorraine Balkin founded and operated the gallery Décor International from 1962 until 1989.