We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

'Phaa tuum' ( baby carrier) or Phaa ob ( wrapping cloth)

circa 1920

Artists

Unknown Artist

Alternate image of 'Phaa tuum' ( baby carrier) or Phaa ob ( wrapping cloth) by

  • Details

    Other Title
    Elephant's headcloth
    Place where the work was made
    Laos
    Cultural origin
    Tai Lue people
    Date
    circa 1920
    Media category
    Textile
    Materials used
    cotton and natural dyes; supplementary weft weave
    Dimensions
    54.0 x 147.0 cm (irreg.)
    Credit
    Gift of Nomadic Rug Traders 2003
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    219.2003
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

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  • About

    Many of these cloths are identified as elephant head cloths, but they are actually cloths used for wrapping and carrying babies among the Tai. This textile is made of hand-woven cotton with continuous supplementary weft threads forming the decorative patterning. The motifs include the 'saang hong' (mythical elephant-bird), the double-headed 'naga' (mythical serpent), roof-lines topped with 'nagas', mountain forms, and geometric shapes. One end has patterning that looks like a fringe ('soi saa'), a feature that is also found on textiles from Thailand and Cambodia.

    Asian Art Department, AGNSW, December 2011

  • Places

    Where the work was made

    Laos

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 1 publication

    • Susan Scollay., Hali, 'The Art of Half the World', pg. 110-111, Mar 2004-Apr 2004, 110, 111 (colour illus.). no.5 (this has been incorrectly identified and should be no.6)