Textile ArtsThai19th century

Hip Wrapper (Pha Nung) with Stylized Floral and Foliate Decor

19th century

Description

A long bolt of cloth worn wrapped around the hips, this garment, known as a “pha nung,” is made of royal blue silk with decorative patterns woven in supplementary wefts of dark red silk and gold threads. A large, rectangular decorative field of rerepeated patterns of stylized flowers and leaves appears at the center of the wrapper; borders of styled flowers and geometric designs frame the central field. The ends of the cloth sport repeated bands of stylized leaves in triangular formations. An especially luxurious textile, this “pha nung” was likely made for a wealthy client.

Classification

Textile Arts

Medium

Blue silk with supplementary red silk and gold wefts

Culture

Thai

Century

19th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Asian Art

Dimensions

237.5 x 99.1 cm (93 1/2 x 39 in.)

Provenance

Private Collection, Phnom Penh, (by 1921), sold; to Louis V. Ledoux Collection, New York (1921-1948), by descent; to his son L. Pierre Ledoux, New York (1948-2001), by inheritance; to his widow Joan F. Ledoux, New York, (2001-2013), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2013. Footnotes: 1. Louis V. Ledoux (1880-1948) 2. L. Pierre Ledoux (1912-2001) 3. On long term loan to Harvard Art Museums from 1985 to 2013.