Li "ghost cover"

Chinalai Tribal Antiques, Ltd.

Ancestral weavings used in important rituals and ceremonies by the Li people of Hainan, China, possibly took several forms, including this extremely rare example that is the only one of its kind we have seen in decades of collecting. It seems to have extracted elements from the more densely populated “ghost covers” that are also rare but generally feature compact rows of ancestral figures against a reddish-brown background, and that may have predated this one which we estimate to be from the early 20th century. Its scattered elements appear to include ancestors, good luck wan, abstract geometric rain clouds, rain, and figural and abstract frogs (harbingers of rain and abundance), all in an unusual surface weave divided by stripes of supplementary weft. This large hanging was most likely woven on a backstrap loom in four sections of fine natural homespun cotton joined by hand, conceivably by a wealthy lowland Li woman. 

$5,800.00

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